Horticulture Dept Issues Advisory for Orchardists Affected by Snow & Hail

The Horticulture Department of Kashmir has released a warning note for the people in the valley. A sudden drop in temperature caused by the storms will have an adverse effect on fruit sets, especially in places where the orchards are in full bloom.

Additionally, these storms may also cause premature fruit drop and the spread of various diseases, which could potentially harm the entire crop. To offset the effects of snowfall and hailstorms and prevent the spread of diseases in their orchards, farmers have been advised to take the necessary precautions.

The Horticulture Department has recommended shaking the trees as soon as possible to prevent snow accumulation on the branches. Moreover, farmers are advised to spray their crops with specific pesticides.

These include Zineb 68 percent and Hexaconazole four percent 72 WP at 100g per 100 litres of water, or Tubeconazole (6.7 percent) plus Captan (26.9) 33.6 SC at 250 ml per 100 litres of water, or Fluxapyroxad 250g per litre plus Pyraclostrobin 250g per litre 500SC at 20 ml per 100 litres of water.

The advisory also notes that after three days, farmers should spray urea at 0.2 percent (200 gm per 100 litres of water) and immediately remove the fallen fruits and leaves from the orchards.

Additionally, it is recommended that farmers spray their crops during dry and cool hours, especially with mist sprays. These measures can help prevent or eradicate the infection of various diseases in the orchards, as well as mitigate the effects of snowfall and hailstorms.

In light of these weather conditions, an official from the Kashmir Horticulture Department has advised farmers to follow these measures. The advisory will serve as a useful guide for farmers to protect their crops from the repercussions of untimely snowfall and hailstorms.

It is crucial that orchardists take immediate action to implement these measures to prevent the loss of their crops due to adverse weather conditions.