July 2024 – Aberystwyth Demonstrator Hub Update
In September at the Aberystwyth Biomass Connect site, the SRF and SRC plots, including Alder, Eucalyptus, and Poplar, showed varying growth patterns with some signs of senescence and pest activity, such as rust on Alder and aphids on Eucalyptus. While Miscanthus varieties demonstrated strong growth, broadleaf and grass weeds were controlled through mowing, and some Sida plants had begun flowering.
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 oaths between the SRF alder trees have been mown.
- Most plant are showing significant signs of Rust.
- Some plants are beginning to show signs of senescing.
Black Locust
- Some of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plants are beginning to show signs of senescing.
Eucalyptus
- The oaths between the SRF Eucalyptus have been mown.
- Some show signs of wind damage with the lower stems dying off.
- Many plants have aphids, but this does not seem to be affecting growth.
Poplar
- The paths between the SRF poplar have been mown. There are no signs of pest damage or disease.
- The paths between the SRC poplar have been mown. There are no signs of pest damage or disease.
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is growing well and is around 2 m high. There are no signs of pest of disease damage.
- The Miscanthus Athena ™ plants have grown significantly in the past month and are shoulder-high with multiple stems. Grass weeds are increasing but are not causing significant competition.
- The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial has been inter-row mowed. There are no signs of pest damage or disease.
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial plot paths have been mowed. Grass weeds are growing in the plots but are not competitive with the Miscanthus.
Willow
- In the 0.5 ha SRC willow plot, the Inger variety continues to show damage from suspected fungal attack. Some plants show damage from caterpillars, but this damage is limited.
- The SRC willow variety trial plot has been inter-row mowed. There are some signs of insect damage, but this is limited. There are no signs of disease.
Sida
- In the Sida plot broadleaf weeds have been removed by hand.
- Some plants have started to flower.
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass is establishing well.
- The plot has been mown to control broadleaf weeds.
Switchgrass
- The switchgrass plot has been mown to control broadleaf weeds.