With temperatures soaring 10°C to 14°C above normal, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has issued an urgent advisory urging farmers to conserve soil moisture and take immediate crop protection measures to counter the effects of rising temperatures and prolonged dry conditions.
The university has strongly urged farmers across the Valley to adopt timely crop management practices, emphasising that the primary goal during this period must be to protect crops from heat stress and soil desiccation.
“For fruit growers, the most critical recommendation is the application of 4–6 inches of organic mulch, such as paddy straw or grass clippings, to tree basins to retain moisture,” the advisory said.
Experts from SKUAST-K’s Division of Agrometeorology have specifically warned against the use of inorganic mulches like polythene sheets, which can inadvertently increase soil temperature and damage root systems. In orchards lacking irrigation, the university had advised delaying all fertilizer applications until sufficient soil moisture is available and cautions against excessive hoeing or heavy tractor movement that could further dry out the land.
The advisory extended to field crops where growers of wheat, mustard, and peas are encouraged to monitor their fields regularly and prioritize the removal of weeds through intercultural operations to eliminate competition for limited water.
“Urea application in these crops should be strictly limited to 2.5 kg per kanal and only performed when adequate moisture is present,’ the advisory said.
For vegetable and floriculture growers, particularly those cultivating tulips, have been advised to adopt light and frequent irrigation during early morning or late evening hours. Nursery beds of crops like tomato, chilli, capsicum and cabbage should be protected using shade nets or straw coverings to reduce heat stress.
The advisory also recommends raking orchard soil to expose dormant pests to sunlight and installing 8–10 pheromone traps per hectare to monitor pests such as apple leaf blotch and fruit borer.
For the fisheries sector, SKUAST-K advised maintaining dissolved oxygen levels above 6 mg/L through aeration systems and ensuring water depth of 1.5–2 metres.
Fish farmers have also been asked to reduce feeding rates to 1–1.5 per cent of body weight during low oxygen conditions and use high-protein floating pellets supplemented with Vitamin C and probiotics to maintain fish health.
