Orchardists should not worry about crop loss: Dir Horticulture

Apple, walnut tress yet to bloom, existing bloom loss only 15 %

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 07-Apr-2017

The three-day rainfall in Kashmir valley though created flood threat, yet horticulture department has a good news for orchardists as the three-day rainfall has not caused “much” loss to the crop.Kashmir’s horticulture department said that that since the temperature did not go down to minus degrees, orchardists need not to worry.In spring season, crops like almond, walnut, pear, peach and apple bloom in Kashmir region.“Almond had already bloomed, so there is no loss of the crop. But in fruits like pear, peach we fear a loss of 15 % as the crops were on flowering position,” Director Horticulture Kashmir, Rafiq Ahmad Hakeem told KNS.“Walnut and apple trees were yet to bloom, so no damage or loss to such crops has occurred due to the rainfall,” Hakeem said. The loss or imminent loss to the orchards is not “much worrisome”, he said.The director said that the experts of the department have some suggestions for the orchardists.“We advise farmers that water should not be allowed to get logged as it creates root rot in the trees,” he said, adding, the tress won’t break or fall down because of pruning and transpiration having already occurred.He said that the trees should be sprayed with pesticides when temperature stabilises.He added that the orchardists should contact the department as the officials are available round the clock for any query. (KNS)