Cool Weather Affects Apple Crop in Northern India
- 13 years ago
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Low temperatures and bad weather is affecting apple crop in India's northern Himachal Pradesh state. Farmers are fearing losses of 30 percent of the crop.
Bad weather and falling temperatures in Shimla of India's Himachal Pradesh state is affecting the region's apple growth.
Farmers are expecting to lose 30 percent of their crop because of the low temperature and poor pollination process.
[Niranjan Singh, Apple Grower]:
"This time the chances of facing apple crop losses are high, as the temperature should be high when the apple trees are flowering. If the atmosphere is warm, more bees pollinate the trees. But with the temperature decreasing, a good crop is not likely."
Experts believe a minimum temperature of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit is required for a good apple crop.
[H. R. Sharma, Regional Horticulture Officer]:
"This year, there is a major difference in day and night temperature. If the temperature is above 16 degrees or 16-20 degrees centigrade, then it helps the development of the fruit and the flowers. But if the temperature decreases, pollen tubes in the flowers are damaged, which affects the crop."
In Himachal Pradesh, more than 700 square miles of land has been set aside to grow fruit. The apple crop alone occupies around 48 percent of land in the region.
The state produces an annual average of 550-thousand metric tons of apples a year.
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Low temperatures and bad weather is affecting apple crop in India's northern Himachal Pradesh state. Farmers are fearing losses of 30 percent of the crop.
Bad weather and falling temperatures in Shimla of India's Himachal Pradesh state is affecting the region's apple growth.
Farmers are expecting to lose 30 percent of their crop because of the low temperature and poor pollination process.
[Niranjan Singh, Apple Grower]:
"This time the chances of facing apple crop losses are high, as the temperature should be high when the apple trees are flowering. If the atmosphere is warm, more bees pollinate the trees. But with the temperature decreasing, a good crop is not likely."
Experts believe a minimum temperature of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit is required for a good apple crop.
[H. R. Sharma, Regional Horticulture Officer]:
"This year, there is a major difference in day and night temperature. If the temperature is above 16 degrees or 16-20 degrees centigrade, then it helps the development of the fruit and the flowers. But if the temperature decreases, pollen tubes in the flowers are damaged, which affects the crop."
In Himachal Pradesh, more than 700 square miles of land has been set aside to grow fruit. The apple crop alone occupies around 48 percent of land in the region.
The state produces an annual average of 550-thousand metric tons of apples a year.