Ayrshire Demonstrator Hub Update – October 2024

21 November 2024

October 2024 – SRUC Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub Update

Ayr Site Plan

Ayr Site Plan

At the Auchincruive Demonstration Hub, crops have been showing natural seasonal transitions, with many entering senescence. Miscanthus giganteus remains thick and dense but is starting to brown from the bottom, while Miscanthus Athena™ has also begun senescing alongside the dying off of weeds. Eucalyptus trees remain robust and healthy, including recovery among previously droopy trees. Poplar and Willow exhibit varying stages of senescence, with some branches damaged by storm Ashley but no major structural issues. Alder is browning but holding onto its leaves, and Black Locust shows significant leaf drop. Birds have been observed among the Miscanthus and Willow, highlighting biodiversity benefits at the site.

 

Crop Diaries

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

Alder

  • The SRF Alder have started to senesce.
  • Most leaves are brown and crunchy.
  • The trees are currently hanging on to their leaves.

Black Locust

  • About 60% of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees have completely dropped their leaves.
  • Other trees are yellowing and in the process of dropping leaves.

Eucalyptus

  • The SRF Eucalyptus is still big, green, and healthy
  • The droopy E. denticulata trees in the bottom left corner seem to have recovered a bit.

Poplar

  • The SRF poplar is in varying stages of senescence. Most trees still have all their leaves, but all have started to brown/drop. Some snapped branches from storm Ashley (just branches, not trunks)
  • The SRC poplar trees are in varying stages of senescence, some trees are completely bare.
  • The Italian poplar is also in varying stages of senescence.

Miscanthus

  • The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is still very thick and dense (and green), but senescence is starting from the bottom. Lots of little birds have been seen within the plot.
  • The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ is now senescing. The weeds (willowherb) have died as well.

Willow

  • The 0.5 ha SRC willow is in various stages of senescence.
  • Lots of little birds have been seen within the plot.
  • There are a couple of snapped branches around the edges – looks like storm damage rather than grazing.

Sida

  • Most of the sida plants are still upright.
  • Some are completely bare, some are still hanging on to leaves.

 

 

Reed Canary Grass

  • Some emergence has been noted in the reed canary grass plot.

Switchgrass

  • Some emergence has been noted in the switchgrass plot.

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