Low chill worries apple growers in HP
› If chilling hours remain insufficient, the apple trees fail achieve the dormancy which is necessary for its growth and production.
SP BHARDWAJ, Horticulture expert
SHIMLA: The apples of Himachal are battling with decreasing chilling hours required for their growth. Under normal conditions, around 800 such hours are required with temperature from zero to eight degrees Celsius for an apple tree here. Earlier, the apple trees used to witness more than 1,500 chilling hours but the number has reduced abysmally now.
The apple growers of Himachal are also waiting for snow and rainfall as dry spell is adversely affecting their crops. The temperature — presently above the normal — is not favourable for their apples too.
Barring few areas in state, the night temperature remains above 7 to 8 degrees Celsius while the apples need the temperature below 7 degrees.
Progressive grower Kunaal Chauhan said the weather was fine for apple orchards but precipitation would have been better for them. “Chilling hours have not started yet. We are waiting for more chill,” he said, adding, “For the past few years, the chilling hours barely remained sufficient for our crops.”
Another farmer Randhir Mehta said if the trend continued, it will be hard to achieve the chilling hours. “The chilling hours have been decreasing over the years which is a serious concern,” he said.
It is generally said that Red Delicious standard needs around 1,000 chilling hours while Fuji and Gala need 500 to 600 chilling hours. Red gold needs somewhat between 600 to 700 chilling hours. Horticulture expert SP Bhardwaj said the chilling hours were important for the apples. “Call it a result of global warming but the chilling hours have been reduced. December has begun but the hours are yet to begin,” he said, adding, “During chilling hours, apple trees are in stage of dormancy and after these hours are complete, nutrients start flowing up from the roots. If chilling hours are not completed, the tree will not achieve the dormancy which is necessary for its growth and fruit production.”
Apple is the mainstay of over 1.7 lakh families across the seven districts of the state and constitutes 49% of the total area under fruit crops. Around ₹3,500-crore apple economy is also providing employment to thousands of people in the region.
Areas under the apple cultivation have increased from 40 hectares in 1950-51 to 3,025 hectares in 1960-61 and 1,09,553 hectares in 2014-15.
This shows how the livelihood of major population is dependant on the apple crop.
Apple, which is among the main cash crops, constitutes 49% of the total area under fruit crops and about 85% of the total fruit production. Apple is largely produced in the districts of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, Chamba and Sirmaur. Now, even in the tribal Lahaul Spiti district, people have started taking to apple plantation at a large scale.