September 2024 – North Wyke Demonstrator Hub Update
North Wyke Site Plan
At the Biomass Connect hub site at North Wyke, the crops have shown varied progress through September. The ground softened in mid-September due to cool, damp weather, allowing most crops to continue growing, though some alder has developed rust on the foliage. The Miscanthus giganteus and Miscanthus Athena have shown encouraging growth, with one half of each area re-growing vigorously after manure application and cutting. The Eucalyptus is healthy and well-prepared for winter with new stakes, while SRC willow appears thin as defoliation in certain varieties has led to increased weed growth between rows, requiring regular mowing and weed wiping. Across the site, mowing and strimming have been consistent, keeping paths and rows clear of weeds and enhancing overall crop health.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- There is rust on all of the SRF alder plants.
- We have mowed between rows every two or three weeks from May to September inclusive.
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Alder at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Black Locust
- All surviving plants in the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plot are now looking healthy.
- Strimmed between rows once a month, most recently on 18/9/24.
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Black Locust at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus is happy and healthy.
- All plants have been hand-weeded with mesh guards replaced if necessary and new stakes in time for winter weather.
- We have mowed between rows every two or three weeks from May to September inclusive.
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar is looking good.
- We have mowed between rows every two or three weeks from May to September inclusive.
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- Poplar at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Poplar at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Poplar at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus has been divided into two. ¼ ha (or half of the Miscanthus giganteus area) has been cut and had manure applied. Weed grasses and the crop are both regrowing. The ¼ ha (or half of the Miscanthus giganteus area) that was not cut – crop tillering out into the gaps.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ has also been divided in half. ¼ ha (or half of the Athena area) that was replanted is growing away nicely. Bare soil is visible, but grass weeds are not yet a major burden. The ¼ ha (or half of the Athena area) that was originally planted well is looking very good. Grass weeds are present but the crop appears vigorous and happy.
- The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial plot has been mowed around every two or three weeks from May to September inclusive.
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial plots have all been mowed/strimmed monthly, most recently on 17/9/24. Survival since planting is patchy, probably not as bad as 2023 plots, but not great. Those that are alive are growing well enough to make a bit of a show.
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- Miscanthus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Miscanthus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Miscanthus at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Willow
- Overall appearance in the 0.5 ha SRC willow plot is is thin, as Lisa and Inger are both 90% defoliated. As a result, light levels are high and grass/broadleaved weeds growing vigorously. We have mowed/strimmed between the rows in August as well as September, a job that took several days to complete. The plot needs weed wiping.
- We have been strimming/mowing between rows in the willow variety trial plot every week, but are unable to do the whole thing at once. It is now all tidy and ready for weed wiping.
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
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- Willow at North Wyke, Sept. 2024
Sida
- The Sida are too closely planted to allow for spot treatment of weeds.
- Surviving plants from the first Sida plot need to be moved into the gaps in this plot, when the crop goes dormant.
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass was sowed on 4/7/2024.
- Germination is good.
- The grass is up to approx. 40cms on average.
- Chenopodium has been hand weeded out.
- There are some gaps due to hand sowing.
Switchgrass
- The switchgrass plot now shows fair signs of germination.
- The grass is up to approx. 30 cm on average.
- The whole area has been topped to knock back broadleaf weeds.
- There are some gaps due to hand sowing.
Plans and Actions
- The grass aisles have been kept mowed throughout the growing season.
- Fencing is all in good condition.
Gallery
