July 2024 – Aberystwyth Demonstrator Hub Update
At the Aberystwyth Demonstrator Hub, crops show steady progress with seasonal changes. SRF species, including alder and black locust, are dropping leaves, with Eucalyptus demonstrating significant active growth. Miscanthus giganteus is thriving at around 2m tall, with some flowering, while grass weeds in Miscanthus Athena plots remain manageable. SRC willow and variety trials display mixed stages of leaf loss and limited signs of insect damage. Maintenance, such as mowing to control broadleaf weeds in reed canary grass and switchgrass plots, is ongoing to support crop health.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops at the Aberystwyth Deomstrator Hub are progressing this month.
Alder
- The majority of the SRF alder trees have now lost their leaves.
- The existing leaves show no signs of rust.
Black Locust
- The majority of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees have now lost their leaves.
- There are no signs of pest of disease.
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus are actively growing with significant new growth.
- Some plants still have aphids but there are less aphids than earlier in previous months.
- Eucalyptus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar are beginning to drop leaves. There are no signs of pests or disease.
- The SRC poplar are beginning to drop leaves. There are no signs of pests or disease.
- Poplar at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Poplar at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Poplar at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Poplar at Aberystwyth, October 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is growing well and is around 2m high. Some plants are beginning to flower. There are some signs of rabbits in the field but no signs of pest of damage to the crop.
- The Miscanthus Athena ™ plants ar looking good. There are some signs of rabbits in the field but no signs of pest of damage to the crop. Grass weeds are increasing but are not causing significant competition.
- The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial shows signs of pest damage or disease. Some varieties are beginning to senesce.
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trialhas weeds growing in the plots but they are not competitive with the Miscanthus.
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Miscanthus at Aberystwyth, October 2024
Willow
- In the 0.5 ha SRC willow plot, the Inger variety has lost all of its leaves whilst some varieties have lost very few.There are some signs of rabbits in the field but no signs of pest of damage to the crop.
- In the SRC willow variety trial there are some signs of insect damage, but this is limited. There are no signs of disease.
- Willow at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Willow at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Willow at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Willow at Aberystwyth, October 2024
- Willow at Aberystwyth, October 2024
Sida
- In the Sida plot broadleaf weeds have been removed by hand.
- The plants have started to senesce and drop their leaves.
- Sida at Aberystwyth, October 2024
Reed Canary Grass
- Both the Reed Canary Grass and Switchgrass plots have been mown to control broadleaf weeds.
Switchgrass
- Both the Reed Canary Grass and Switchgrass plots have been mown to control broadleaf weeds.