Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3.2 IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TEMPERATE FRUITS (A
CASE STUDY)
The IMD monitoring reveals that temperatures are increasing in both
Jammu region and Kashmir valley, with significant increase in maximum
temperature of 0.05°C per year. The average mean temperature in Kash-
mir has risen by 1.45°C in last 28 years while in Jammu region, it has
increased by the rise is 2.32°C.
As a result, of rise in temperature and decline in rainfall, the apricot
and cherries are fast disappearing from some areas of Kashmir Valley.
Due to general rise temperature and less availability of water, the yield
and quality of apples in valley and mid temperate region of Jammu are fast
deteriorating. Over the last few years, there has been distinct slow growth
in production and productivity in rain-fed Kashmir's Karewas areas. Due
to unusual hailstorms and windstorms in summer fruits like cherry, apple,
plum, peach and apricot are getting damaged heavily.
In recent years there marked change in the pattern of snowfall in Kash-
mir, which is effecting all the pome and stone fruits (Fig. 3.1). It has been
observed that the snowfall and flowering in some years is coinciding lead-
ing to great loss in quantity and quality.
FIGURE 3.1
Occurrence of late snowfall-causes heavy damage to almonds-coincided
with full bloom.