Clouds come as silver lining

So far, the state has recorded 150 cm snowfall in the apple-growing regions; temperatures, too, have been below freezing point for a good part of the year, touching -4.3 degree C in February. Besides moderating diurnal temperatures, it helped meet the chilling requirements in deciduous fruit orchards.

‘‘Since it has snowed intermittently, it has enhanced the moisture levels in the soil for a longer period, which makes for better fruit production,’’ said S P Bhardwaj, associate professor at the Mashobra unit of the Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

Moreover, the 1,400 chilling hours (calling for a temperature below 7 degree C) necessary for the physiological process of the plants was met in January-February itself.

According to S D Sharma, director of extension education, and Gian Thakur, associate director of Parmar University, the combination of snow, rain and moderate diurnal temperature changes also lessen the chances of insect and pest attacks in the orchards.

Apple accounts for about half of the total area under fruit in Himachal Pradesh, and nearly 90 per cent of its fruit production. It’s the favoured crop in over two lakh hectares of land in Shimla, Mandi, Kinnaur, Lauhal and Spiti, Chamba and parts of Solan and Sirmour.