Cold weather throughout April has destroyed at least 30% apple crop in Kullu district, an official said. Unusual extreme cold conditions killed pollinating agents and resulted in poor crop setting.
High hills of Himachal experienced moderate snowfall on most of the days in April and May and caused sharp drop in temperature. Pollination agents like bees, butterflies and flies which carry pollen from flower to flower died of cold and affected fruit setting in many areas. Hailstorms in many parts of Kullu also destroyed apple crop.
Horticulture deputy director B C Rana said cold climate destroyed about 20 to 30% crop in the district. "Cold proved fatal for pollinating agents. Snowfall on hills created micro-climates in many regions and tender flowers withered eventually," he added. Rana said that damage to crop by hailstorms is being assessed.
Total area under apple cultivation in Kullu district is 24,000 hectares. Some fruit growers are reporting good crops while most of them are reporting less crop compared to last year.
Kullu fruit growers' association president Mahender Upadhyay said he has received feedback of average crop from most parts of the district. "Cold has mostly destroyed apple in lower regions where blooming season came first. In upper regions many growers are reporting average crop," he added.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
