The weekend’s cooling could cause significant crop losses in orchards

It seems to be proven once again that the first victims of climate change in agriculture are fruit trees: while mild winters help pests overwinter in large numbers, paradoxically, the now regular cold spells in March-April are also caused by warming, as it has significantly weakened the so-called polar vortex that prevents the flow of cold air of Arctic origin to the south.

Speaking to Agroinform.hu, Dr. According to Ferenc Apáti, president of FruitVeB – Hungarian Vegetable and Fruit Professional Association, the frosts forecasted for the beginning of next week are causing serious concern among producers:

“During the previous cold snap in March, apricot and almond production were primarily at risk due to their early flowering, but this did not affect a large area of ​​production in Hungary. Now, however, the situation is that practically all major fruit crops (including apples, pears, apricots again, and even cherries and plums) are under significant threat.”

Of the stone fruits, cherries and plums are already flowering, and apples are in the green-bud or red-bud state, depending on the region. These developmental phases are already sensitive at -3 or -4 degrees Celsius. A cold of -5 degrees Celsius can damage up to 50-60 percent of the crop, while at -6 or -7 degrees Celsius, complete flower death can occur. Freshly set small fruits are also extremely sensitive: up to -1.5 degrees Celsius, there is usually no problem, but at -2 degrees Celsius, damage can occur, and at -4-5 degrees Celsius, complete crop loss can be expected.