Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) – Ayrshire
A sheltered flat north-south site, with sandy loam and current vegetation of barley stubble. Planting of a winter wheat cover crop took place in 2022, followed by Miscanthus, Willow, Poplar and Eucalyptus in spring 2023. The plans below show the layout of the trial plots at the hub site and the updates will keep you informed of their progress and performance throughout the trials.
Address |
Auchincruive Estate, Ayr. |
Latitude, longitude |
55°28’30.7″N 4°33’28.8″W (55.475184, -4.557993) |
Grid ref |
NS 38427 23117 |
What 3 words ref for entrance |
///plotted.improvise.miracles |
Characteristics
Mean Annual Precipitation (mm) |
820 mm |
Mean Annual Temperature (°C) |
12.9 °C |
Altitude |
48 m |
Exposure |
Sheltered. |
Topography |
Flat. |
Aspect |
N-S. |
Soil type |
Sandy loam. |
Current vegetation coverage |
Barley stubble. |
Other relevant site info |
Project plans/actions
Which biomass crops |
Planted (as of August 2023)
To be planted:
|
Planting goals/aim | |
Agronomic dates (planting, harvesting schedule) |
Planting: Spring 2023. Harvest: Jan/Feb 2024. |
Management methodology (spray off, nutrient additions, ploughing, site prep, others) |
– Ploughing/site prep Oct 2022 (Winter wheat cover – except on Miscanthus plots) + Glyphosate (early spring 2023). – Pendimethalin pre-ems (spring 2023). – Graminicide 3-6 weeks post planting. – Dow Shield 3-6 weeks post planting (if required). – Interrow weeding/spot spraying when required (spring/summer). |
Machinery to be used | TBC. |
General Info
Field management history | |
Other site detail of note |
Updates
Base line soil samples have been taken, ploughing is in progress, Hopefully planting wheat cover crop week beginning 24 Oct 2022.