Biomass Connect has now collated the August 2023 updates from our Hub Sites.
The reports this month include an overview of progress to date at each site. Many of the sites were also visited by the Hub Site coordinators from Rothamsted Research so they contain more detailed reports and lots of photos. Both the similarities and the differences between the sites make for interesting comparisons as the crops start to grow.
As would be expected during July and August, weed control has been the main activity on most of the sites. This has been achieved with a variety of techniques such as strimming, spraying and hand-weeding. The exact technique used has been dependent on crop variety, weed species and the level of weed proliferation. Checks for insect infestations and grazing damage have also been made. In general, crop growth has been good and the various plots are beginning to look like biomass crops now that they have emerged, established and put on some growth.
Find out more from each of the hub sites. For ease of access here are links to the latest updates.
Hub Site Updates August 2023
- AFBI Hillsborough
- BGI
- SRUC (Ayrshire)
- SRUC (Edinburgh)
- North Wyke
- IBERS
- NIAB Headley Hall
- Newcastle University
Here are a few photos from the sites in August. There are many more in the individual reports:
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- SRC Poplar at Boghall
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- SRC Poplar at Boghall
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- SRC Poplar at Boghall
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- Miscanthus 2023 Variety Trial at SRUC Boghall
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- Eucalyptus
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- Weeds have been mowed amongst the SRF Poplar.
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- SRC Willow
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- Drone view of SRC Poplar
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- Miscanthus varities
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- E.nitens growing vigorously.
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- SRF Poplar. B. Flannery next to a healthy-looking specimen.
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- Close up of Sida
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- This E. denticulata variety is looking great.
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- Miscanthus giganteus competing with Fat Hen
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- Weeds dying between rows in SRF Eucalyptus after strimming and Herbidome Glysophate application.
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- SRF Common Alder with tree guards.
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- SRC Poplar
