Growers continue their research for sustainable onion and carrot cultivation
In the project ‘ Searching for a robust cultivation of carrots and onions’ arable farmers from the Noordoostpolder, CLM Research and Advice and Delphy are working together to investigate if and how a robust cultivation of these crops is possible. Phase 3 of this project has now started, with arable farmers investigating on their own fields what does and does not work. They are doing this through the framework of Integrated Crop Management (ICM). With this research, arable farmers and advisors want to obtain tools for a resilient cultivation system with virtually no emissions. The project has been made possible by a subsidy from the Province of Flevoland and the Zuiderzeeland Water Board, in cooperation with the Soil and Water Action Plan. Delphy Improvement Centre is the coordinator.
In the research
The ICM model (Integrated Crop Management) developed by WUR offers a framework to achieve sustainable cultivation. But the practical interpretation for carrots and onions is still lacking. Together with a group of farmers we are trying to implement ICM for the most important diseases and pests in carrots and onions. For onion the focus is on controlling the onion fly. The onion fly is being monitored and several growers are investigating whether establishing field margins works to attract natural enemies of the onion fly. They are also deploying predatory nematodes to control onion fly larvae. Together we are investigating whether it is possible to control overwintering pupae of onion flies. The tests look at both the effectiveness of a measure and its practical applicability.
In carrots, we are looking at how monitoring the woolly carrot aphid can help control this pest. From 2025 it will be more difficult to tackle the woolly carrot aphid, because the broad-spectrum chemical Batavia can then no longer be used. In addition, growers are conducting trials with reduced fertilization, Blue N, Vixeran and Trianum. This involves monitoring crop health and quality throughout the growing season. Picking force measurements and yield determinations are made. After storage, the carrots are again assessed for quality.
A blueprint for the approach cannot be given; achieving a robust crop is a real quest. A quest that arable farmers, CLM and Delphy are undertaking together, in which learning from each other is central.’
Offering tools
In the third phase of this project, we want to use research to offer growers in and outside Flevoland practical tools to reduce the use and emission of crop protection agents and nutrients.
The project contributes to achieving the standards of the Water Framework Directive, or WFD. The project is in line with the commitment of Flevoland Province to strengthen the economic and ecological perspective of the agricultural sector.
We expect to publish the results of the project in April 2025. The results will be available – accessible to everyone – on the websites of the implementing organizations.
