Himachal horticultural experts warn that if hot weather continues, it could lead to drop in apple yield. The unusually hot weather in Himachal Pradesh in March has apple growers and horticulture experts concerned as the dry spell could adversely impact blooming and fruit setting.
“If the dry weather continues further, it could cause crop loss in apples,” state horticulture joint director Hem Chand said on Tuesday, adding that the weather would, however, have no bearing on the setting in stone fruits.
Apples are grown on about 50% of the total area under horticulture, comprising some 85% of Himachal Pradesh’s total fruit production. Apple orchards are spread over 1,14,646 hectares in the state, while other temperate fruits are grown over 27,870 hectares. The state saw a bumper yield of 60,195MT of apples in 2021, while it recorded 481.06MT in 2020, 715.25MT in 2019 and 368.60MT in 2018.
