September 2023 – Hub Site Update
Observations from the Trial Plots
SRF Alder
- Grass and weeds in the Alder plot have been controlled by mowing.
SRF Black Locust ‘Turbo’
- The Black Locust ‘Turbo’ plants are growing well.
- Grass has been controlled by mowing in between the plants.
SRF Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’
- Grass and weeds have been controlled by strimming close to the Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plants. A protective collar was put around the plant to ensure no damage to the plants from strimming.
- Hand weeding around the base of each removed any weeds that had been left after trimming.
- Post-plant trimming has been completed following the guidelines.
SRF Eucalyptus
- Wind has caused some of the SRF Eucalyptus tree guards to be blown over to 45 degrees. The stakes have been repositioned and the trees are now upright.
SRF Poplar
- Grass and weeds in the SRF Poplar plot have been controlled by mowing.
SRF Poplar in the wind. (N.B. Mowing been used to control grass).
SRC Poplar
- Grass and weeds in the SRC Poplar plot have been controlled by mowing.
- Some plants are showing wind damage. Plants have either snapped at the base of the stem or are leaning at 45º.
Wind damage to SRC Poplar
0.5 ha Miscanthus Giganteus
- The Miscanthus Giganteus is growing well. The canopy is beginning to close in a lot of the crop.
- Weeds were controlled well by the application of Harmony M SX. The herbicide controlled most of the broadleaf species including mature fat hen. However, some weed species such as common nightshade have shown a high resistance to the herbicide. These along with some grass weed will need to be sprayed once the crop has senesced.
Post-Em sprays have killed off Broad leaves well.
0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena
- The Miscanthus Athena is growing well. The canopy is beginning to close in some areas. However, gaps remain where the establishment was poor.
- Weeds were controlled well by the application of Harmony M SX. The herbicide controlled most of the broadleaf species including mature fat hen. However, some weed species such as common nightshade have shown a high resistance to the herbicide. These along with some grass weed will need to be sprayed once the crop has senesced.
0.5 ha SRC Willow
- The SRC Willow has grown well this month.
SRC Willow Variety Trial
- Grass weeds have been controlled by mowing close to the SRC Willow variety trial plants.
- Some patches of the trial are very wet.
2023 Miscanthus Variety Trial
- Harmony M SX herbicide was applied to all of the Miscanthus variety trial plots. Paths were not sprayed. The spray has been highly effective on many of the broadleaf weeds especially dock and thistles, significantly reducing competition. However, some grass weeds are emerging that will need to be sprayed once the crop has senesced.
2024 Miscanthus Variety Trial
- The area for the 2024 Miscanthus trial has been sprayed off and ploughed.
- It will be left in furrows over the winter.
Reed Canary Grass
- The Reed Canary Grass seed has been received, but it has been too wet to get on the ground for cultivation to be attempted.
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