Dutch Crop tour Onions - week 32
Is the end of the story for onions in this heat?
Concerns are increasing among onion growers now that the last weeks of growth have arrived. These growing weeks could be very short, given the heat. How are they going to face the last few weeks and is watering still useful?
Some of the sowing onions in the Netherlands have been ironed for some time and the plots that are still standing may receive the death blow with the heat. To keep the onions fresh and to prepare them for the upcoming heat, some of the onion growers use the sprinkler system. However, opinions are divided on this, because how much benefit does it have for the yield if the onions are ironed and what does it do to the quality?
Onions are due for ironing
The ironing of the onions seems to be slightly earlier than the long-term average if we look purely at the date, but on average there was also sown a bit earlier this season. If we look at the crop, it is on average further developed and in a phase where it is preparing for ironing. The onion growers of the Boerenbusiness Dutch Crop tour see that too. "When I feel the necks of the onions, it won't be long before they start ironing," says Reinder Hogenhout from Kimswerd (Friesland). They are satisfied with the current status and growth of the onions. Despite the drought, the crop is in good shape. "You can do something with irrigating against the drought", is his verdict.
So far, few onions have been ironed in the Hogenhout region and the plan is to irrigate again soon. The same applies to Arjen Jakobs from Wezup (Drenthe), who is irrigating his onions this week just before the warm days. According to him, the onions are not disappointing, but there is still a lot to grow. "It is difficult to say anything about it now, but it is clear that this will not be a hit. The onions are starting to droop a bit. The part that has already been irrigated now seems a bit fresher than the unrained onions. We are going. see what else grows in August."
Another plot in the north belongs to Dirk Binnema from Eenrum (Groningen). According to him, the crop has recovered well in recent weeks and there are no yellow points in the yellow onions. He now hopes to move towards a normal yield.
To irrigate after ironing or not?
Once the ironing has started, the sap flow in the plant changes. These weeks are also characterized as the period in which the most pounds grow. Opinions are divided when it comes to whether irrigation is still useful once the onions have been ironed. Several onion growers who have the option of irrigating indicate that they have irrigated after ironing. "Even then, the plant still absorbs moisture from the soil next to the foliage," several onion growers judge. Grower Geert Jillissen also irrigates after ironing and has not experienced any problems with it yet. He also plans to irrigate the ironed plots this season.
On the other hand, ironing is a natural process. The leaves of onions that are in full growth enjoy the strong juice flow, which puts them under high tension. As soon as this decreases, the foliage can no longer stand proudly, after which it collapses and thus irons. When ironing, the moisture transport is affected, which makes you wonder how useful the irrigation is after ironing.
Slowly towards the harvest
In the south of the Netherlands, the seed onions have been ironed for some time. At Klaasjan Boer in Kortgene (Zeeland), the plot is slowly dying off and no onion is left standing. The same applies to Jillissen in Oeffelt (North Brabant). The plot is dying fast and he expects that the other plots that have just started ironing will be hit by the heat.
Jesse Torringa
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