Pear growth week 28: Hageland shoots up, Betuwe lags behind
Weekly pear growth update – live measured with WolkyTolky dendrometers
Last week, there were no extreme weather conditions in the five fruit regions. Yet, the pear growth curves show clear differences. The WolkyTolky dendrometers, linked to the DF sensors, record the diameter of the fruit daily. This gives us an objective picture of the growth dynamics in North Holland, Betuwe, Zeeland, Hageland and Haspengouw.
Hageland: explosive growth, no stress
The most striking development this week can be seen in Hageland (BE). Here, the DF diameter rose from 49.0 mm to 55.4 mm in just seven days – an increase of more than 6 mm. The growth curve is almost linear, without any significant dips or stagnations. This indicates optimal conditions: sufficient soil moisture, no heat stress and an active sap flow. The nights were relatively cool, which benefits cell elongation. It is striking that growth in Hageland is even accelerating slightly towards the end of the week, possibly due to a combination of precipitation and high radiation.
Haspengouw: stable growth, slightly behind Hageland
Growth is also strong in Haspengouw (BE), with an increase of approximately 5 mm. The curve is slightly flatter than in Hageland, but shows no signs of stress. The pears here are on schedule for an above-average size, provided conditions remain favorable.
Zeeland and North Holland: even growth, no outliers
In Zeeland and North Holland, growth is stable, with an increase of approximately 4 mm. The growth curves are flatter than in Belgium, but show no shrinkage or growth stagnation. This indicates good water availability and mild temperatures. In Zeeland, the sea wind can cause extra evaporation, but this does not appear to be a limiting factor this week.
Betuwe: growth lags behind, points for attention
The Betuwe clearly lags behind this week. The DF diameter increases by only 2.5 mm. The curve is flat and even shows a slight flattening halfway through the week. Possible causes are a lower soil moisture content, less precipitation or a limiting factor in the nutrition. For growers in this region, it is advisable to critically monitor soil moisture and nutrient availability. A growth deficit in this phase is difficult to make up.
No shrinkage, but regional spread
In contrast to last week’s heat wave, there is no shrinkage this week. All regions show a positive growth curve. However, the spread between the regions is increasing: the difference between Hageland and Betuwe is now more than 7 mm. This underlines the importance of local monitoring and customization in cultivation.
Why real-time measurement pays off
The differences between regions are greater this week than ever before. Only with objective, daily data can you adjust in time and prevent yield loss. The WolkyTolky dendrometer makes it possible to signal growth stress directly and act in a targeted manner.
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