Dutch Crop tour Potato - week 25
A lot of foliage and tubers on potato plots
Despite the high temperatures, the potatoes grew well last week. The first plots are closed and the number of tubers is also counted. How many are there under a potato plant of the Innovator variety and how is the crop doing?
Although the potato planting did not go smoothly everywhere and the growth was also steady at first, the potato crop is doing well after the higher temperatures. Regionally, the differences in growth stages are still there, but both above and in the ridges growth seems to have picked up considerably compared to previous seasons.
Foliage development
The higher temperatures since June in combination with the high levels of moisture have resulted in enormous foliage development. The differences could be seen almost every day and the first plots are now closing, such as the plot in Scharendijke (photo). Especially after last weekend's rainfall, the potato crop is in most cases very fresh. The plants do lag behind somewhat in height, but with the precipitation that has fallen, that should be fine, several growers testify.
The rain showers did not come in time for everyone. It was already getting too dry in the middle and south of the Netherlands, which is why some potato growers still have rained. This has worked out well, according to Kees Trouw, potato grower from Hellevoetsluis (South Holland): 'With the irrigation of 16 millimeters, the crop has achieved very good foliage development.' The crop has grown about 9 centimeters in 4 days after the irrigation.
Number of viable tubers
It also looks good in the potato ridge, according to the potato growers of De Gewastour. The tubers develop on the first plots and a good number is counted. "There are 10 tubers on a bunch today, that seems good." says Jacco van Liere, potato grower in Dronten. The average potato plant here has about 5 stems. The Crop Tour plot in Hellevoetsluis today has 14 viable tubers (photo right) and between 5 to 6 stems.
On the Gewastour plot in Mill en Sint Hubert (North Brabant), the development seems furthest compared to the other Gewastour plots. The plot was planted on April 16, not much later than the average planting dates of the other crop tour growers. The tubers have already started growing and the potato plot was closed last week. The number of viable tubers is approximately 13. Just like in Hellevoetsluis, this plot was also irrigated in the weekend of 12 and 13 June.
Another difference in development at the top and bottom of the potato ridge
The Crop Tour plot in Someren (North Brabant) was planted on April 28, but is not far behind the rest given the position of the foliage. However, the picture is different in the potato ridge, because the potato plant is still busy with tuber formation. The image that potatoes planted later with the foliage are almost the same as potatoes planted earlier, but that there is a big difference underground, has emerged more often this year.
Potato grower Mark de Beer is very pleased with last weekend's precipitation: 'We were busy irrigating last week, but the rain showers came just in time for the Gewastour plot. We have received a thick 40 millimeters.'
Jesse Torringa
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