PAU Urges Farmers to Protect Winter Veggies from Frost; Suggest Measures

The surface temperature of plants can fall below freezing as the air temperature approaches freezing, which causes ice crystals to form similarly to how dew does on warm nights. According to PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, numerous biotic and abiotic issues have a significant negative impact on vegetable production.

Frost was one of these abiotic factors, and he claimed that it had a significant impact on summer vegetables like cucurbits, tomatoes, chilli peppers, and brinjal as well as potatoes. Even though they are sown in October or November, winter vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, onion, and garlic are not significantly impacted, he continued. Dr. Gosal urged the farmers to use the PAU-recommended techniques in order to increase yield and market value.

The use of plastic mulch, according to Dr. Tarsem Singh Dhillon, head of the department of vegetable science, has many positive effects on crop production, including protection from frost damage, an increase in soil temperature, preservation of soil moisture, texture, and fertility, and the management of weeds, pests, and diseases.

By retaining moisture and raising the soil temperature close to the plant, it also permits the growth of crops earlier in the season and shields the plant from frost, the expert continued.

"Plant covers are a great tool for preventing frost damage. It lessens convectional heat losses to the air at night and increases downward long-wave radiation. Removable straw covers and polythene material are frequently used materials, he continued. Senior olericulturist Dr. Kulbir Singh added that growers preferred low tunnel technology. These are made of flexible, transparent material and are used to enclose rows of plants in order to warm the air around them and encourage plant growth."

"This method, which advances the crop by about a month over the normal season, is used to grow summer vegetable crops early in the growing season. Low tunnel technology can be used to grow a variety of vegetable crops, including cucumber, capsicum, and brinjal", he added.

Between December and February, low tunnel technology is primarily used. Beginning in December, low tunnels are installed on the raised beds where crops are grown to protect them from frost. When the frost has passed by February, the plastic sheets are removed. For small and marginal farmers, this technology is affordable, he advised.