Boghall Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024

28 August 2024

July 2024 – Edinburgh Demonstrator Hub Update

Bog Hall Farm Site Plan

Bog Hall Farm Site Plan

At the Edinburgh Demonstrator Hub site, the biomass crops are progressing well overall, with many species like SRF Alder, Eucalyptus, and SRC Willow showing healthy growth and good canopy development. However, some issues such as rust on SRF Alder and SRC Willow, as well as weed pressures in Miscanthus and Sida plots, indicate a need for continued management efforts. The site is largely on track, but vigilant monitoring and timely interventions will be essential to maintain the health of the crops.

 

 

Crop Diaries

Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.

Alder

  • The SRF Alder at Boghall is growing well with big healthy leaves and lots of new buds.
  • Inter-row mowing was carried out on 19th July
  • Inter-row spraying is planned for the week beginning 12th August.
  • A small amount of rust has been observed.

Black Locust

  • Most of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees are looking green and healthy. Inter-row mowing was carried out on 15th July. Inter-row spraying is planned for the week beginning 12th August.
  • The SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ was replanted on 18/04/2024, and there is no sign of emergence yet. Inter-row mowing was carried out on 15th July. Inter-row spraying is planned for the week beginning 12th August.

Eucalyptus

  • The SRF Eucalyptus trees are looking big, green and healthy.
  • Inter-row mowing was carried out on 15th July.
  • Inter-row spraying is planned for the week beginning 12th August.

Poplar

  • The SRF poplar trees are looking tall and healthy, the new trees are growing well. Stakes and tree supports were fixed on 22nd July following some wind damage.
  • The SRC poplar trees look healthy and are growing well. Inter-row mowing was carried out on July 15th and spraying is planned for the week beginning 12th August.

Miscanthus

  • The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is growing tall and bushy. Some couch grass patches need to be hand rogued ASAP.
  • The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ plot was planted on 15th May, post-emergency herbicides were applied on 12th July (Harmony SX @ 80 g/ha + Starane @ 0.6 l/ha).
  • The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial has lots of green leafy stems. The Illinois variety was gapped up on 25th July.
  • The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial had a post-emergence herbicide treatment applied 12th July (Harmony SX @ 80 g/ha + Starane @ 0.6 l/ha). The Illinois variety was gapped on 25th July.

Willow

 

  • The 0.5 ha SRC willow is very tall,  green and leafy. Some rows are close to canopy closure. Some rust has been observed.
  • The SRC willow variety trial is growing tall and green. Some rust has been observed. Inter-row mowing is planned for the week beginning 12th August.

Sida

  • The older Sida is growing green and bushy.
  • The newer Sida (plug plants) is a bit limp and flat.
  • The plot needs inter-row spraying and rougeing ASAP.

Reed Canary Grass

  • The reed canary grass plot was sown on June 17th.
  • There are no signs of emergence yet.
  • The plot looks quite weedy with pineapple weed (despite Glyphosate application pre-planting).

Switchgrass

  • The switchgrass plot was sown on June 17th.
  • There are no signs of emergence yet.
  • The plot looks quite weedy with pineapple weed (despite Glyphosate application pre-planting).

Silphium

  • The silphium plot was sown on June 17th.
  • There are no signs of emergence yet.

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