Dutch Crop tour Onions - week 19
Turnout seems good, but the onions hate the weather
The rows of seed onions are now clearly visible on most plots. Many growers are satisfied with the turnout, but also see that growth is lagging behind. Not only the cold, but also precipitation and even hail play a major role on the plots.
An excellent seed bed and sufficient moisture in the soil: these are the main advantages for most onion growers for this good emergence. Especially if we compare the turnout with recent years, many onion growers are positive. There is less joy about the growth and condition of the seedlings. The seed onions lag behind in growth, the weeds continue to develop, but the dusting on the sandy soils and crust formation are also not lacking. There are also lots with hail damage.
Cold of great influence
It took a very long time for them to break through on the plots where the seed was sown deeper than 2 centimeters. This was especially the case on the colder clay soils and the north. Encrusting also caused some tension this year among some growers, although this has often not led to any real problems due to the precipitation. The Crop Tour plot in Dronten (FL) is one of the plots where it took a long time for the seedlings to break through. The plot was sown on April 2 and has been on top since May 9. This was partly due to the deep sowing and the cold ground, which prevented the seed from taking action.
The difference between primed and unprimed seed clearly visible
Differences in growth stages occur every year. The south is traditionally ahead of the north, but there are also differences between the regions. Arjan Bos, Hazera's crop specialist, confirms these differences: 'The fields are very variable, there is of course some delay everywhere. Most of what I've seen the lots look good when it comes to plenty in line. You also sometimes see big differences between primed and unprimed seed. That comes out very strongly this year.
'First pipe is coming'
Grower Reinder Hogenhout is satisfied on the plot in Kimswerd (FR): 'The onions are looking good and the turnout is excellent. Weeds are also well suppressed. Most onions flag and the first pipe is on its way.'
At the Crop Tour plot in Kortgene (ZL), the turnout is what the grower wants. 'When I look at the emergence, I am satisfied, but I still see plants that have just come through. It takes a while to see what happens with it, but it is now growing. They are nice rows of onions.'
Jesse Torringa
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