Irrigating and waiting for rain on the onion plots

The crop tour participants are fully engaged in the work on the onion fields. Fields have already been sown. Irrigation takes place on these plots to make the top layer finer and to allow the onions to germinate.

Plots that have not yet been sown are sprayed against weeds, harvested to fine-tune the soil and nitrogen is sprinkled. In this article an overview of what happened in the past week on the various plots.

oeffelt
The onions were sown in Oeffelt. Last week, 20 millimeters were rained to get the soil fine, so that the onions can more easily get through the top layer. The grower says the following: "I chose 20 millimeters because otherwise I'm afraid I'll have to irrigate again within 3 to 4 days. In addition, the top layer is bone dry. Irrigation also allows the clods to crumble and the last onions to germinate."

Ysselsteyn
The plot in Ysselsteyn is also irrigated. A tour of the plot shows that many seeds have now germinated. However, the grower did not think this was enough and therefore irrigated between 15 and 20 millimeters to get the onion seed going. In addition, paper pulp was sprayed on the plot. The paper pulp ensures that the moisture is better retained. This gives the seed better access to moisture and allows it to germinate earlier.

Kortgene
The grower in Kortgene has no possibility to irrigate his plot. Every year, mushroom compost, compost and manure are added to maintain the level of organic matter in the soil, or to increase it. The philosophy is that this keeps the moisture better, and the grower hopes that there is enough moisture in the soil for the onion seed to germinate. He also indicates that a shower in the short term is desirable. Otherwise, many seeds will not germinate. Normally 3,8 units per hectare are sown. (3,8 units is 380.000 seeds per hectare). This year it was decided to sow between 3,8 and 4 units per hectare. By sowing slightly more seeds per hectare, the hope is that more seed will germinate.

Tollebeek
The participant in Tollebeek started working on his land on 9 April. This is done with pressure rollers at the front and a cog harrow behind the tractor. The soil is bone dry and difficult to work. the pre-fruit; sugar beets, were harvested under wet conditions and that is now noticeable. The grower says: "Due to the warm weather there is a chance that thunderstorms will fall. Hopefully there will be such a shower here. Otherwise, I will irrigate after the Easter weekend before sowing." After watering, the soil is worked one more time before the onions are sown.

wezup
A soil herbicide has now been sprayed in Wezup in Drenthe. The plot has been sown and the spraying has been applied to combat the first germinating weeds. The soil type is sand, which made it relatively easy to process before sowing. Here too, the grower wants to keep the organic matter content as high as possible for the moisture-retaining capacity of the soil. The onions were sown by a contractor on 1,80m beds with 7 rows. Previously, 1,5m beds were used with 4 rows on them. Due to this adjustment, there are now 50% more rows on the plot. 4 units per hectare have been sown.

Kimswerd
In Kimswerd, Friesland, nitrogen was applied last week - for crop development - and herbicide spraying was carried out. The grower has irrigated 10 to 15 millimeters before processing. A rotary harrow was used both in front of and behind the tractor to get the soil as fine as possible and to create a good top layer for sowing the onions.

Dronten
So far, the plot of the Aeres University of Applied Sciences has only been explored. The company believes that this lot is not yet proficient enough to start on. It is hoped for rain over the Easter weekend so that preparations can be made for sowing.

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