Compaction will jeopardise root development and impede drainage, with a consequent increased susceptibility to blackleg, powdery scab and blight in the crop. When planting is delayed, seed should be kept in a well-ventilated area with plenty of light. Seed stored in big bags or full boxes at ambient temperatures will quickly start to produce long weak sprouts which are easily knocked off at planting, leading to uneven emergence and entry points for disease. Spacing and Planting Seed spacing has a major effect on the marketable yield at harvest. Check the spacing being achieved by uncovering two metre lengths of drill and measuring spacing and depth of planting.
Good quality packing stocks continue to shorten.
Growers continue to battle with the elements and planting was able to make reasonable progress Total area planted is estimated at 39,400 ha compared with 73,200 ha last year. The Northern European surpluses appear to be running out as prices in most countries are now increasing. Planting progress is also severely effected across all Northern Europe. In Holland planting has been halted by rain again. Light land in the north was planted early in the week but in the south progress on processing crops was limited.