Weeds in seed onions have little chance

Weed control in seed onions is going very well this year. Soil herbicides do their job well due to the large amount of precipitation, which is clearly reflected in the fields with seed onions.

Weeds are well suppressed on most plots this year. Most weeds disappear even with soil herbicides alone, and growers have to postpone spraying with a contact herbicide. The good effect of soil herbicides can sometimes also be seen in the seed onions themselves. 

Soil herbicides attract seed onions
In most cases, the seed onions were sown under very good conditions, but large differences are now visible on the plots.
Due to the cold weather, slow growth, dusting and sometimes hail damage, the seed onions are having a hard time. In combination with weed control, this has sometimes cost a number of plants. According to onion grower Klaas Jan Boer from Kortgene, the seed onions do notice something of the soil herbicide: 'What you do see is that the soil herbicides are pulling hard. I have the idea that in the lighter spots growth lags behind somewhat and sometimes a few plants drop out.'

Mark Ermers, Crop Advisor at Bayer, sees how effective the weed control is, but according to him the grower must remain on his guard: 'In recent years, soil herbicides have not always had the optimal effect due to heat and drought. This year shows how important those soil herbicides are. On some plots you even have the idea that the onions are a bit reserved because of this. But as a grower you have to keep a close eye on your plot. We are moving towards warmer weather, so just like the growth of the crop, the weeds are also flying out of the ground.'

Jesse Torringa

Jesse is an editor at Boerenbusiness and focuses in particular on the arable farming sector, including grain and onions. He also closely follows the fertilizer market. In addition, Jesse works on an arable farm in Groningen with seed potatoes as the main branch.

j.torringa@boerenbusiness. Nl

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