Snow, snow come again

The crop needs 1000 to 1800 chilling hours below 7 degree Celsius, and snowfall ensures the mercury stays below that. The farmers said they were not sure whether the plants had their chilling period and if not, the affect was predictable.

An additional fear is the outbreak of diseases and insects, if the temperature rises at the early stages of the crop. So far, only 5.5 cm of snow has been recorded at the Mashobra Research Station of the Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry during of January with December and February remaining devoid of any snow.

The production in 2005—nearly 2.5 crore apple boxes—claims Horticulture Minister Singhi Ram, had surpassed previous records of 2.27 crore and 2.36 crore in 2004 and 2003. “We are keeping our fingers crossed for this year,” he says.

The scientists are advising the growers not to undertake any field activity. Says Professor S P Bhardwaj, associate director at the Mashobra Research Station, “there is some moisture upto a depth of 20 cm in the soil. Growers should take precautions about the basin area of the plant. Fertilisers or sprays could also be disastrous”.

The apple crop may survive but the growers cannot expect a bumper season or a better fruit quality. Bhardwaj still pins his hopes on rains and a possible spell of snow to make up for the loss. He quotes precedents when Himachal saw snow and rains in March.

Adding to their worries is the plantation work. This is the time when the growers get new planting material, new apple varieties for replacing the old or expanding their orchards. At least 20 new varieties—imported from Australia, the US and Italy—have been recommended this season, along with 18 popular varieties of the region. “Scanty snow and rain can impact plantation work also,” maintains Hardyal Singh, a Kotkhai orchardist.