‘Some crops suffer from severe cold’

LUCKNOW: Scientists are worried that dip in temperature may harm the crops, particularly those which are sensitive to frost . Very low temperature, near zero degrees may damage the flowering buds, reducing the yield significantly.

ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture scientists said this might happen in orchards planted at lower elevation. Fruit trees that were planted during the rainy season required protection by thatching and regular irrigation, they said. In northern plains, farmer should plan for the protection of newly planted grafts as the frost may invade any day and mango plant die in one night after experiencing the sub zero temperature exposure.

Many times winter rain made guavas taste watery. Too much cold may convert fruit to harder texture and the quality would not be good, said CISH director Shailendra Rajan.

He said, “Solanaceous vegetables like tomato and potato are prone to diseases like alternaria blight during the season because of low temperature and humidity. Fungicide spray and light irrigation can protect these plants from frost as well as disease. Irrigation plays an important role in protecting plants during low temperature exposure during night.”

He said winter annuals enjoyed low temperature but many of the evergreen foliage plants were sensitive to low temperature at night and required protection by covering them with cloth that could reduce the chance of injury by insulating foliage from cool air.

But there were certain vegetable crops like cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol and broccoli for which drop in temperature was a boon as they enjoyed low temperature and became sweeter in taste.

Red peel guavas were at the best of their appearance when the temperature went down at nights. Sunny days and cool lights were favourable for quality apple and guava, he said.