Snow, snow come again

Do snow and apples have any relation? Ask Rohit Thakur, an orchardist, as he looks for hours at dry mountainous slopes in this apple valley....

Do snow and apples have any relation? Ask Rohit Thakur, an orchardist, as he looks for hours at dry mountainous slopes in this apple valley. Hardly an inch of snow8212;which is a natural manure for the apple tree, providing the requisite chilling impact8212;has touched the soil this winter. And Rohit is not the only one worried over the prospects of the crop, which is a mainstay of Himachal8217;s economy.

Even as horticulturists are toiling to dispel apprehensions of the loss-predicting rains, and an eventual fall in temperature towards the end of this month, the orchardists in this belt8212;which contributes almost 45 per cent to the state8217;s apple production8212;remain unconvinced. Their experience firmly holds that good snowfall is a boon for their orchards.

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 20058212;nearly 2.5 crore apple boxes8212;claims Horticulture Minister Singhi Ram, had surpassed previous records of 2.27 crore and 2.36 crore in 2004 and 2003. 8220;We are keeping our fingers crossed for this year,8221; 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, 8220;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 disastrous8221;.

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.

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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 varieties8212;imported from Australia, the US and Italy8212;have been recommended this season, along with 18 popular varieties of the region. 8220;Scanty snow and rain can impact plantation work also,8221; maintains Hardyal Singh, a Kotkhai orchardist.