Does the heat wave accelerate the ripening of onion plots?

The foliage is starting to settle on a number of onion plots of the Gewastour. However, it is difficult to say whether its development has been accelerated by the extreme heat. There are also plots on which (due to the extreme heat) damage has occurred to the foliage.

On the onion plots of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour was also irrigated (where possible) last week. In some cases irrigated at night, in order to prevent burning of the crop. Irrigation not only ensures a good supply of moisture, but also keeps the soil and the onion crop cool. 

It is not possible to irrigate on the onion plot in Kortgene (Zeeland). The crop sustained minor damage to the tips of the foliage last week. Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, more than 16 millimeters of precipitation fell on the plot, which means that the plants are now freshening up. Except for a few spots, the onions are not ironing yet. As a result, some foliage growth is expected. 

The plots in Zweeloo (Drenthe) and Oeffelt (North Brabant) are starting to settle. These onion plots have now been irrigated 5 times and the sixth time will follow in Zweeloo next week. The ironing of these plots starts in the corners, although the rest of the plot will soon follow. 

Sizing
On the onion plot in Zweeloo, the excess size is between 40 and 50. Yet there are also places where the onions are even finer, but in those places the plants seem to continue to grow for the time being. On the plot in Kortgene (Zeeland), the difference between the dimensions is greater. There are bulbs between 30 and 40, but also plants that are just starting to form. 

The duality in Kortgene arose shortly after sowing. About March In Zeeland, there was almost half as much precipitation as in the other parts of the Netherlands. As a result, the higher seed had insufficient moisture available. The first significant rain shower did not fall until April 26, which is 28 days after the sowing date. 

Disease pressure from thrips
The disease pressure of thrips is not too bad on most plots. So far no thrips have been found on the plot in Zweeloo. This may be because there are fewer onion plots in this area, but also because no storage takes place in this region. On the plot in Kimswerd (Friesland) a control was carried out once, but partly due to the irrigation, the thrips pressure on this plot is very low. Thrips have been found in plots with onion sets or shallots in the region, but those plots have now been cleared.

The last spraying has been carried out on the plot in Kortgene for the time being. During a round through the plot, hardly any thrips were found. The situation on the plot in Zeewolde (Flevoland) is vastly different. An increase in thrips pressure was observed on the Agrifrim sticky trap last week. However, in the crop itself, the pressure has not yet increased, but that could be because the insecticides still provide protection. 

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.