MH spraying uncertain due to duality

The MH spraying on the onion plots of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour is difficult this year due to the duality. Do growers wait with their spraying to give the smaller onions a chance or do they spray at the recommended 10% ironed onions?

In Tollebeek (Flevoland) they lay their hands on the onion. If a number of onions do not rise and they remain in place, the spraying is carried out. "There is not much difference compared to last year in terms of the time of the MH spraying. The plot has to be dry for 10 hours, before this we had still irrigated and we waited a day before spraying," says the grower from Tollebeek.

No spraying done yet
No MH spraying has yet been carried out in Kimswerd (Friesland), Wezup (Drenthe) and Dronten (Flevoland). "Every now and then I see an onion ironing. At the end of this week (week 33) or early next week we will start spraying. I also look at the approximately 10% recommended ironed onions before I apply MH," says the grower from Kimswerd.

In Wezup, the grower waits for darker and cooler weather to spray. Last year, the onion plot was further developed than it is now. However, the grower expects to do his spraying earlier in the process of the onions. ''Last year the onions were further in the process, last year I sprayed when the onions were already on the decline. I will be spraying MH around the same time this year, but the onions will not be as ready as last year''.

In Dronten, this year for the first time it will be decided differently when the MH spraying should be done. Together with an advisor, the grower will harvest about 15 onions. Some of them have their hearts removed. If the onions with a heart are 15% heavier than onions without a heart, the MH spray is applied. 

Difference in light and heavy pieces
On the plot in Kortgene (Zeeland), the MH spraying was carried out on the lighter parts of the plot. ''The lighter pieces were ready, the heavier pieces came up later. I'm actually hoping for a shower, so that I can apply the MH there a day later." The grower in Kortgene is unable to irrigate, which means that the duality of crops was clearly visible on this plot. 

Dual-use makes for a difficult choice
"Choose the golden mean, the weather influences make MH spraying more specific than ever," says André Boot of Hazera. Boerenbusiness† "The rule is that growers carry out an MH spraying when 10% of the plot is spreading. Due to the duality of crops this year, I recommend that growers go to the plot together with their PPP advisor to determine when MH should be sprayed ". 

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