An unusually warm February has raised concerns of fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh as it has led to premature flowering in apple trees which could lead to a poor fruit set.

“Stone fruit which bloomed two weeks earlier is irregular and weak. The high temperatures will affect apple blooming and could impact the yield in orchards situated between 6,500 and 6,800 feet,” says Lokinder Singh Bisht, the president of the Progressive Growers’ Association.

“Orchards at a lower elevation haven’t completed the chilling period. Due to inadequate moisture, there is bound to be erratic and less flowering. This will lead to poor fruit setting,” he says.

Apple is the biggest fruit crop of Himachal Pradesh, which constitutes about 49% of the total area under fruit crops and about 85% of the total fruit production. It comprises 13.5% of the state’s gross domestic product and is a ₹6,000-crore economy.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com