Switzerland: Heatwave causes problems in broccoli and leek cultivation

Crops in Switzerland suffer as a result of the present heatwave. Especially the warm nights are bad for growing plants. In Seeland heat and drought have prevailed for an entire month.

The drought is, because of the high level of subterranean water, not a problem, according to Hans-Peter Kocher of Inforama Seeland. The problem, however, is the heat which hardly decreases during the night. The vegetable plants recuperate insufficiently and this sometimes even prevents flowering. Especially with the broccoli, fennel and leek cultivation crop failures are reported. Also spinach cultivation is in danger, as because of the present climate, the seeds cannot germinate.

In the east of the country the berry growth has been harmed according to Peter Conrad of LBBZ Arenenberg. Many raspberries are underdeveloped. The quality of the harvested berries is good despite the heat. By covering with hailnets growers try and decrease the heat in the greenhouses somewhat, but also the workers of the cultivation companies suffer because of the heat. "But thanks to investments in irrigation and the efforts of the growers sufficient vegetables and berries are available" Peter Conrad says.