This season's fruit production, which had been affected by the a strong frost that caused significant losses in the production, were also affected by high temperatures. The heat in recent weeks not only accelerated the maturation process of pears and apples but also burnt them.
INTA Alto Valle said that the incidence of sunburn had increased in this season. This has been due to the high temperatures in the months of December and January.
"Air temperatures were above 30°C for more than 5 hours which caused browning on the fruit's skin," said agronomist Andrea Rodriguez of the Experimental Station of the Upper Valley.
The most affected varieties have been the D'Anjou and Abate Fetel pears, and the Red Delicious and Pink Lady apples.
"Sunburn is a when the fruits are burned by high temperatures and direct sunlight. It turns the fruit's skin black or stains it brown."
"The frosts mainly affected pears. According to the producing companies, 30 to 40% of the fruits were affected but we believe the damage was higher. The decline this year was very great," said the president of the Chamber of Fruit Growers of Roca, Jose Garcia. In addition, the crops have been affected by the codling moth, which has expanded in the abandoned plots, and by the sun that burned much fruit, he said.
There are preventive treatments, but their cost is so high that not many can access them. "This year has been very complicated. Commercially the outlook is uncertain, quality is a problem and the industries don't want the producers' fruit," the leader said.
Damage to the province
According to the provincial Fruit culture ministry, they have received 1,200 affidavits regarding the frosts from producers of the Upper Valley, Middle Valley and Colorado River. In these affidavits, producers have said they have had damages exceeding 50%, mainly in pear and stone fruit crops.
Meanwhile, according to provincial records, the hail affected some 3,000 hectares in the areas of Campo Grande, Middle Valley, and Colorado said the new provincial minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Alberto Diomedi.
Source: rionegro.com.ar