Potato growth does not happen by itself: start irrigation

On most plots participating in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour are the potatoes just above or do they hiccup against it. However, growth is not yet going fast, with weed control still being a thing this season. The first grower has also started to irrigate the potatoes now that the drought is hitting it.

The potatoes are starting to grow, but the question is whether an Innovator plot is closed around the longest day. At the Gewastour plot in Elst (Gelderland) the potato plants are emerging. There is still enough moisture around the tuber for the time being.

On the other hand, they have started to irrigate on the sandy soil in Wouw (NB). The potatoes are sprinkled with 22 millimeters of water. The reason for irrigation is to make weed control work and to improve root development, says grower Gybert Doggen. 

weed control
The potatoes in Hellevoetsluis (ZH) are already on top, but weed control will become a thing this year, says grower Kees Trouw. Before the longest day is usually the vegetative growth of the plant and after the longest day the generative growth of the plant starts, that is already with two weeks. Vegetative growth is the growth of leaves, stems and roots and generative growth is the growth of tubers in potatoes. So the question is whether the Innovator variety will be closed this year. This gives weeds a better chance to grow this season. 

Meanwhile, the strong wind makes weed control difficult with the current weather. In addition to the drought, the wind also plays a role. "Weed control in the potatoes is currently difficult due to the poor wind. The best time to spray is now early in the morning or late at night due to the wind," says Trouw. Trouw waited as long as possible before milling in order to be able to mechanically compress the weeds.

The Gewastour plot at René Mesken in Appelscha (Friesland) has yet to emerge. The first weed control went well on Wednesday. The advantage of the current dry weather is that no weeds germinate. It is difficult to find the right moment with spraying due to the relative humidity and the wind. Spraying now takes place late at night or early in the morning. "It's been a very special season so far, I'm curious to see how all the crops stand up around the longest day," concludes Mesken.

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