Dutch Crop tour Potato - week 20
Potato growth lags behind
Normally the potatoes break through the ridges in mid-May. That is not the case this year. The cold period of April and May clearly leaves its mark on the potato fields. Growth is very slow and growers are wondering how long this cold spring weather will last.
On the plots of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour, the growth of potatoes is carefully monitored. This shows that the potatoes have shown little or little growth for weeks due to the cold weather. Moreover, the planting season is not over yet, because a lot of planting still has to be done, especially in the north. A big contrast compared to past years, in which drought was the main culprit.
Influence of cold on tuber setting and yield
Growers see that growth is steady, but they also wonder what influence the cold period has on the further development and yield of the potato. Such as tuber number and number of stems. Part of the planted area had night frost in April and was planted in very cold soil. It was not unique that heated potatoes were planted in soil with a soil temperature of 5 degrees.
Simon Jensma, crop advisor at Bayer, is curious about how the potato fields are developing: 'The last few years were of course very different from this spring, when heat and drought were the main problem. The low amount of moisture at tuber setting was especially crucial. Moisture is the determining factor in tuber formation and I think the temperature has little influence on this.'
Short-term farm work, first potatoes break through
Despite the fact that last week in some areas a lot of precipitation fell, growers have resumed work. The potato ridges were earthed and the last corners were planted in areas with less rainfall.
The growers did not have much time, because regular rain showers have fallen again since the weekend. The potatoes almost came through on the Gewastour plot in Dronten. Part of the plot was planted on March 30. Grower Herman Schlepers was therefore forced to earth his plot: "The potatoes already surfaced on the Gewastour plot. We gave a fertilizer dose of KAS and potassium and then went to earth with the cultivator. The Innovator variety has trouble with it when they have come through and there is still earthing, so I'm just in time."
Jesse Torringa
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