This year's trials (once again organised by LTO Groeiservice, in collaboration with Chiconsult) were based on duplicate tests, this time with two different levels of potasium fertilisation, i.e. all varieties were sown on plots with a standard potassium fertilisation and a level with an additional application of 170 kg potassium. Both plots were sown on 7 June, and the roots were lifted on 19 November. The trials are carried out at 4 forcing locations in week 52 and 53.

Shorter pith with lower potassium level

One striking result from the trials, carried out by Jan de Vries (22 December 2009), was that roots grown with a higher potassium level produced chicons with a shorter pith than roots grown in soil with a lower potassium level. There were no great differences observed regarding chicon-quality between the two potassium levels. In both levels the roots produced smooth well closed chicons.

OK-varieties did well

The Hoquet varieties Atlas, Hermès, Mont Blanc, Désir and Jadore did well. Atlas as usual, delivered excellent results and a very high yield. The varieties Mont Blanc and Hermès continue to be very interesting for consumer packaging. Jadore stood out with a high yield and closed well-pointed heads. Désir produced smooth, tight chicons with relatively short pith.

At the end of the evening there was a taste test on the program. The data are processed by LTO Grow Service and published in a later stage. The winner of the first evening after a brief survey was Jadore, but the wide variance in preferences suggests that in the next meetings, results can switch easily.