Guidelines issued to protect orchards from winter dry spell

The prolonged winter dry spell in Himachal Pradesh’s lower hills has raised concerns over drought-like conditions in subtropical orchards. To address this, scientists from the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Station (RHRTS), Nurpur, issued protective guidelines for fruit growers. The subtropical region spans seven districts—Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur—and covers approximately 89,000 hectares of orchards producing mango, litchi, citrus, guava, and other fruits.

The dry spell, coupled with severe cold, poses a significant threat to fruit crops and nurseries. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, principal scientist at RHRTS, advised applying surface irrigation during evening hours and using drip or sprinkler methods to combat frost and dry cold conditions. He suggested whitewashing tree trunks with a mixture of 2.5 kg of unhydrated lime and 200 grams of copper sulfate in 45 litres of water to protect young and fruit-bearing trees. Additionally, he recommended thatching young trees with paddy straw or dry grass and covering nursery saplings with 75% shade nets to prevent cold injuries.

Soil scientist Renu Kapoor emphasised the importance of ploughing orchards to allow moisture collected overnight to penetrate the roots of fruit and vegetable crops. She also advised smudging, particularly around young plants, to raise the temperature near the trunk and minimise the impact of ground frost. As an alternative strategy, Kapoor suggested delaying the sowing of crops and vegetables to reduce potential losses.

The guidelines aim to mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing dry spell, ensuring the growth and productivity of subtropical fruit crops in the region.