Warm dry weather worrisome sign for apple and other pome fruits in Himachal
Extreme warm and mainly dry weather in the state became a worrisome sign for pome fruit crops as mercury is soaring high in the state as it was recorded several degree above normal. The Meterogical Department said that Minmum temperature stayed many degrees above normal as cold wave is negligible in the mod of winter season. Due to rising average temperature above 15 degrees plants dormancy preponed about a month ahead of normal season. Snow consider as white manure for pome fruits is confined to few high reaches. Water table is likely to decline in summer season due to heavy dearth of winter rain and snowfall. Apple growers couldn’t find suitable Weather for planting new fruit trees due to lack of moisture in the soil. The state apple orchards rely upon 900 to 1000 chilling hours couldn’t not achieved in the middle apple belt. According to Agriculture experts the above normal Mercury posing challenge for early flowering in the apple and pears which likely to change the prospect of good and quality crops. Minimum temperature of was Shimla 11.8 degrees and 8.4 degrees above normal. Bhuntar Airport 7.7 degree, Kalpa 3.9 Dharamshala 8.2 degrees, Una 9.6 degrees, Nahan 11.5 degrees, Keylong minus 2.6 degrees, Solan 7.4 degrees, Manali 6.2 degrees, Kangra 11.8 degrees Mandi 8.6 degrees, Bilaspur 10 degrees, Hamirpur 9.9 degrees, Chamba 9.8 degrees, Dalhousie 14 degrees, Jubberhatti Airport 11degrees and Kufri 10.9 degrees, Narakanda 7.3 maximum temperature of Shimla 21.6 degrees and 9.3 degrees above normal. Bhuntar Airport 26.5 degrees and 9 degree above normal degree, Kalpa 16.8 and 10.8 degrees above normal Dharamshala 23.6 degrees, Una 28.8 degrees, Nahan 24.7 degrees, Keylong 6.8 degrees, Solan 26.4 degrees, Manali 18.4 degrees, Kangra 24.9 degrees Mandi 27 degrees, Bilaspur 24.7 degrees, Hamirpur 25.3 degrees, Chamba 24.4 degrees, Dalhousie 19.6 degrees, Jubberhatti Airport 22.7 degrees and Kufri 15.4 degrees, Narakanda 16 degrees.
