Dossier
Drought
The Dutch climate is changing rapidly, and there is a real chance of increased droughts in the future. The summer of 2018 was one of the dryest in the decades, and 2019 was also far from wet. Wageningen University & Research studied the effect this drought has on agriculture, nature and living circumstances. In this dossier, you will find news, background information and the results of research on drought.
Drought and crop farming
As a result of climate change and the increasing depletion of natural resources such as water, it is important to develop crops that have an increased resistance to drought. This is the main focus of many knowledge institutes and plant breeding companies. Wageningen University & Research considers it vital to assist our stakeholders by seeking innovative solutions based on GM and non-GM characteristics, that contribute to the global challenges in agriculture. Given the ever-increasing focus on reducing water usage and the predicted rise in dry summers, it is vital to improve these characteristics in our most important crops.
Expert drought and crop farming
News
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How to ensure your farming business keeps pace with a changing climate
- You don't have to work in agriculture to notice climate change. Everyone remembers the hot dry summers of 2018 and 2019, and the recent extremely wet spell. Whereas 20 years ago a farmer could rely on his common sense, things are different today. Other measures are needed. And that varies from area to area. Take a look at salty Zeeland, level-controlled Peel, desiccating Veenkoloniën and compacting Flevoland. -
WUR participates in major international research on climate-resilient crops
- Deciphering the past to develop future-proof crops. That, in a nutshell, is what the research project Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability (AEGIS) entails. Wageningen University & Research is one of the participants in this international project, which has received a research grant of 78 million euros. -
How land management can improve water security in Africa
- A study based on a massive data set spanning 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa offers hope for improving water security for millions - through restorative management practices. For many people in sub-Saharan Africa, reliable access to freshwater is not guaranteed year-round. As much as 90 percent of agriculture depends on water from rainfall, and groundwater is a critical source of freshwater. -
Drought imperils carbon sequestration in European forests
- Forests play a critical part in mitigating climate change due to their ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. However, many European forests removed less CO2 from the atmosphere during the extremely hot and dry summer of 2022, according to a new European study. The findings suggest that plans to compensate for CO2 emissions through forests may have to be amended. -
Extreme weather at Unifarm: with so many crops, how do you ensure they stay wet or dry enough?
- Rain, sun, hail and wind are part and parcel of crop trials in open fields. But extreme weather can affect the results of a trial. Gerard Derks and Joep Laan of Unifarm's Outdoor Cultivation Department do everything they can to give the crops whatever they need. How do they go about it? -
Our cabbages originated in the Middle East (and with the warming climate that is a very good thing)
- Brussels sprouts and cauliflowers look nothing alike. Despite this, botanically, they are the same species: Brassica oleracea. And their ancestor grows on the rocky coasts of England and France: the wild cabbage. However, the types of cabbage we eat today did not originate from England or France at all, but from 4,000 kilometres away. How is this possible? -
Aanhoudende droogte, hoe erg is dat?
- Het is steeds vaker wekenlang kurkdroog in Nederland. Hoe erg is dat voor planten en bomen in de tuin en op het veld? We vragen het droogte-expert Gerard van der Linden van Wageningen University & Research.
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Drought and nature
Drought severely impacts nature. The water levels and humidity of the soils drop, foliage discolours, and animal populations suffer from lack of food and water. Drought also forces us to stay alert for wildfires: forest fires, heath fires and bush fires. Moreover, there are noticeable changes in 'De Natuurkalender' and insect populations, that increase due to drought (wasps and the oak processionary caterpillar).
Soils may be affected so severely that nothing will grow. Desertification can have numerous causes: water and wind erosion, salination, overgrazing, drought and wildfires. Each cause demands a different countermeasure to turn the tide. Wageningen University & Research collaborates with parties around the globe to find solutions.
Experts drought and nature
Projects drought and nature
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Deltas under Pressure
- Due to climate change and urban development, deltas are under pressure. Quick changes like climate change, salinization, water quality problems, floods and droughts, make adjustments in agricultural production necessary. An interdisciplinary research team of WUR work in an integrated manner on sustainable transition pathways in agriculture in deltas, with the ultimate goal to contribute to the sustainable development goal ‘Zero Hunger’ (SDG2). -
De Natuurkalender
- De Natuurkalender allows citizens to detect the impact of climate change through their ‘backyard’. The Nature’s Calendar project shows how the timing of our seasons is changing due to the increase in temperature.
Drought and dairy farming
Drought causes the root growth in the grass to stagnate, and the grass to turn yellow. This may cause issues for dairy farmers. Grazing is hampered due to a shortage of grass, and cows may have to be fed supplementary feed as the level of protein in the grass is reduced. Feed prices will increase, and storage issues may develop for manure that is not applied to the soil as the grass requires less manure.
Allow grass to recover
The recovery of grass depends on the depth of its roots, the type of soil, groundwater levels and the degree of dehydration. In general, the recovery capability of grass is extremely high, when left alone.
Tips
1. Dry grass breaks easily, so leave it alone. During persisting dry spells, it may be wise to keep cattle in the barn.
2. Be patient and refrain from fertilising. Especially in heavy clay soils the chance of the fertiliser rinsing out is high.
3. Refrain from mowing to prevent further dehydration. Mow just before the rains to give growth an impulse.
4. Limit fertilisation of the grass for the remainder of the season.
Tailored irrigation
The government allows some farmers to use sprinklers if they use surface water or their own wells, and thus refrain from burdening the water supply. With tailored irrigation, the correct amount of water is provided at the proper time. This may be a solution, especially if drought impairs feed production and grazing. Remote sensing gave this project a new impulse in 2010.
Feed crops
WUR studies the cultivation of drough-resistant feed crops. Sorgum and alfalfa provide interesting alternatives to corn.
