Tuber formation and crop position differ enormously this year

Now that the potatoes are growing and the first tubers have formed, a comparison can be made of the state of the crop with last season. The contrast is great between the plots. Both the plant above and at the first tubers in the potato ridge. 

Due to later planting dates and the drought, the differences in crop stages are enormous across the country. Some plots surprise and, certainly compared to other years, are not bad or much less. The same applies to the tuber development and the number of tubers so far. On average, there is a much smaller crop that has already experienced a lot of heat stress in June. 

Crop is almost closed
This is on river clay in Elst, Gelderland. From two plants, potato grower Tap counts 17 tubers and an average of 4 stems per plant. In the past three days, 22 millimeters of rain fell on the Gewastour plot.

The crop is almost closed on the clay soil in Woldendorp in the province of Groningen. This clearly shows that the plants are less developed than in other years. This plot was rained twice and had about 5 millimeters of rain on July 20th. The potatoes have now started tuber formation, which clearly lags behind other years. Potatoes still grow from a few stolons. When a plant is raised, as can be clearly seen below, the crop is also smaller in foliage growth.

In Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the status of potatoes varies due to the fore crop of wheat and sugar beets. There is also a clear difference due to the siltability of the soil of the Gewastour in IJzendijke (Zeeland). At the front of the plot, 15% is siltable and the rear is 40% siltable. On the front of the plot you can see that the crop is more developed than on the back. This is also reflected in the number of tubers. The image from IJzendijke is typical for this year on plots that are quite variegated in soil. 

Rear plot in IJzendijke (ZL) 40% siltable. Tuberization of 2 plants at the back of the plot in IJzendijke (ZL). Front plot IJzendijke (ZL) 15% siltable. Tubers at the front of the plot in IJzendijke (ZL).

Already big tubers in Hellevoetsluis 
This is currently the tuber setting on the clay soil in Hellevoetsluis (ZH). There are seven decent tubers on a plant. 

In Steenbergen (North Brabant) on the clay, the potato plant has six stems and has started tuber formation.

Irrigation seems to pay off
Despite the late planting, the drought and warm days, a number of plots are closed. One of the plots grows in the sandy soil in Wouw (North Brabant). It has been rained on three times so far this season. The crop has a heavy foliage package of six stems per plant. This ensures that the crop has a high water requirement, which results in the moisture in the soil also decreasing slightly faster.

At the moment this is the image on the Gewastour plot on the sandy soil in Appelscha (Friesland). The crop has a sturdy stem and has just started tuber formation.

Most crop tour plots are almost all closed, but whether that will still be possible remains the question. In any case, the precipitation of last Wednesday can have a positive effect. The differences in tuber formation are large. On various plots, the potatoes are just starting to form tubers, and on other plots a good number of developed tubers are already appearing. The differences in plots make it difficult to compare, but it is clear that the current foliage package is underdeveloped. Compared to other years, the plot was closed a lot earlier.

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