October 2024 – North Wyke Demonstrator Hub Update
North Wyke Site Plan
Crops at the North Wyke Biomass Connect Demonstration Hub have shown mixed performance through October. While Miscanthus Athena™ has demonstrated strong growth, even in replanted sections, other crops like Miscanthus giganteus are less vigorous but recovering well in manured areas. Eucalyptus trees continue to grow but require re-staking due to wind damage, and SRC Willow shows varied health as senescence sets in. Glyphosate treatments and maintenance, including rogueing and weed management, are ongoing across the site to support crop health and manage competition. Overall, progress is steady, with targeted interventions planned for winter.
The ground now too wet for vehicle access and there is some standing water on the Miscanthus variety trials. The weather is generally warm for time of year and not too wet.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder plants are largely defoliated now.
- Glyphosate was applied around plants with the Herbidome on 15/10/24.
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- Alder at North Wyke, October 2024
Black Locust
- The foliage on the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ is now yellowing.
- The trees that survived last winter and spring still seem to be doing well and look healthy.
- Glyphosate was applied around plants with the Herbidome on 23/10/24.
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- The Black Locust ‘Turbo’ plot at North Wyke, October 2024
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus trees appear to have continued to put on growth during October.
- 10 of the larger trees did not have stakes replaced as they looked big enough to stand on their own. This turned out to be wrong and the wind has bent them over, so they will be staked over next couple of weeks.
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- Eucalyptus at North Wyke, October 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar is beginning to senesce. The A4A variety is still green, the others are turning yellow. Glyphosate applied around base of plants with a backpack sprayer on 29/10/24.
- The majority of the leaves on the SRC poplar are turning yellow. Glyphosate applied with the Herbidome along the edges of rows on 15/10/24.
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- SRC Poplar. Interrow mowing and Glysophate application have been undertaken, majority of the leaves now turning yellow with senescence.
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- SRF Poplar at North Wyke, October 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is looking healthy but less vigorous than Athena™. The ¼ ha that was cut and manured is regrowing, but the grass is coming back very fast, as expected after manure application. Winter harvesting has been discussed with the Farm Manager.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ plot is growing strongly, including the half that was replanted this spring, which appears to be well ahead of the grass burden.
- The 2023 Miscanthus variety trial is looking good where planted. Those empty sections that were replanted in spring have mostly living plants, though they are still small (approx. 45 cm’s).
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial plots have not been trimmed in October. We are waiting for the plants to senesce before applying glyphosate to lessen the weed burden.
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- Miscanthus Athena
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- Miscanthus
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- Miscanthus Athena
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- 2023 variety trial
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- 2024 variety trial
Willow
- In the 0.5 ha SRC willow plot senescence is obscuring the difference between the sickly trees and the ones that are doing well.
- The willow variety trial plot looks good overall. Glyphosate was applied along the outsides of rows on 16/10/24.
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- Willow 6 way mix
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- Willow variety trial
Sida
- The Sida plot has weeds in the larger gaps. It was spot treated with glyphosate on 30/10/24.
- The surviving plants in the previous plot are to be moved into gaps in new plot when they go dormant.
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- Sida
Reed Canary Grass
- Young growth has continued during October in the reed canary grass plot.
- This has been helped by the topping of weed competition in late September.
Switchgrass
- Young growth has continued during October in the switchgrass plot.
- This has been helped by the topping of weed competition in late September.
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- Switchgrass
Plans and Actions
- The grass aisles have been kept mowed throughout the growing season.
- Fencing is all in good condition.
Gallery
