Plots of seed onions are declining rapidly

The onion plots have declined rapidly in recent times. Many onions were able to benefit from the precipitation, but that is not the case in every region. The MH spraying is located on almost every plot of the growers participating in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour.

Between the plots of seed onions of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour a clear difference is visible. The onions sown in April are largely flattened. The onions that were sown a little later show a slightly greener appearance on average and have just started ironing or are still standing proudly. The weather conditions of the past few days have caused the onions to wear down quite a bit, many growers have noticed.

Harvest in 2 weeks
In Zeewolde (FL) the onions were sprayed for the last time this season with Luna against leaf spot disease on Wednesday evening. This saves the onions, because it is expected that they will be harvested in two weeks. "The Gewastour plot has been ironed hard in recent days," says grower Jan Berend Biesheuvel. "If I had to dig up the onions now, the soil would already be too hard. My other plot of onions is still green and I sprayed this week with MH. The percentage of leafless skirts was 15%, so it was about time," explains Biesheuvel out.

Precipitation came too late
At Klaasjan Boer in Kortgene (ZL) the onions wear out quickly. "The rain has been too late for most onion plots in recent weeks," he says. "The plots around here are very different from the images I see of the plots participating in the Gewastour. Here in Zeeland they are a lot less," explains Boer. That was different in the beginning, so soon after sowing. "What seemed to be a nice plot of onions at the beginning of the season has deteriorated sharply due to too little rain." 

The first parcels are now being transported by truck to the customer. "The early sown plots in March have now been lifted and have yielded 35 tons per hectare. But the regional differences here are large. My expectation is that the yield will be very variable here in the region. I hope that there will be rain in the coming week falls, from which my plots can still benefit somewhat."

At the beginning of this week, the Gewastour plot in Kimswerd (Fr) was sprayed with MH. "The MH now has time to grow into the onion for a good dormancy in storage. It is important for the MH that the crop is vital for at least two weeks after spraying," explains onion grower Reinder Hogenhout. For good absorption, it must remain dry for at least ten hours after spraying. 

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