Dutch Crop tour onions - week 29
Moisture stock also very critical in onions
Seed onions show it less than potatoes, but they also need water quickly. Yet many entrepreneurs let it be known that they are not going to or cannot irrigate. Has irrigation become too expensive or are there other reasons?
Due to the drought, many potato plots are off the crop tour already rained. Not directly with the intention to gain weight, but to keep the plant vital in these hot days so that it can resume growth later. Meanwhile, the onions are also getting more and more difficult and more and more onion growers are considering irrigating.
To irrigate or not
Arjen Jakobs from Wezup (Drenthe) says that he has not irrigated yet. He first wants to wait for today's rain shower (Thurs 21 July). The quality of the water is also not favorable for the onions, he says. According to Jakobs, there is too much iron in the groundwater, which means that it can do more damage than it produces. He does notice that his onions have a lot of roots this season. As a result, the onions suffer less from drought. Drip irrigation does not warm Jakobs yet. "That is €1000 per hectare and then it is not even sure whether it is necessary that year." Jakobs sees more in electric irrigation. For example, next year he wants to have a pump that is electrically driven. The pump has to be behind his shed, he also wants to use solar panels.
Dirk Binnema from Eenrum (Gr) says it's time for a rain shower and then one of mother nature. Binnema does not think about irrigation. He's clear about it. "The benefits do not outweigh the costs." Binnema lives near the dike in Groningen and has to deal with seepage water. "If you dig 5 centimeters deep you can still see the moisture". Binnema also has doubts about drip irrigation. He thinks it is an expensive purchase, but says that it is a lot less stressful for the soil.
Irrigating during the day
Reinder Hogenhout from Kimswerd (Fr) has already watered his onions. He says that the extreme heat is slightly less with him because his company is close to the Wadden Sea. This is why it irrigates during the day and is not afraid of leaf burn in the hot weather. Hogenhout also has his doubts about drip irrigation. "There were many trials in the area before, but nothing has survived. It would be interesting if it went together with fertigation, then you use it anyway, even if it is a wet year."
Robin Winter
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