Naju City Urges Fruit Farmers to Prevent Damage Amid Higher Than Average Temperatures

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) has urged farmers to take meticulous precautions and management as crop damage is expected due to higher-than-average temperatures and increased precipitation this winter.

According to the county on the 30th, the Agricultural Technology Center analyzed the weather conditions in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions from December last year to the 21st of this month. The average temperature recorded was 4.3℃, which is 2.1℃ higher than the average, and precipitation increased by 20.2mm from the usual 61.7mm to 81.9mm.

With such mild winter weather continuing, there is concern about cold damage (donghae) to crops overwintering outdoors, especially fruit trees that have awakened early from dormancy.

This winter, the awakening of fruit trees from dormancy is expected to occur around mid-month, approximately one week earlier than usual.

Fruit trees that awaken early from dormancy may suffer freezing and cold damage if sudden cold waves or late spring cold snaps occur.

To prepare for this, it is important for farmers to cover the graft union and main branches about 1 meter above the soil surface with insulating materials such as rice straw, thermal pads, or nonwoven fabric to prevent temperature drops.

Applying white water-based paint to the tree trunk or wrapping it with newspaper can also be effective.

Additionally, through prior inspection, if bark is found peeling or cracking, it should be immediately tied with twine or rubber bands to prevent sap leakage.

Regarding pruning timing, it is advisable to delay it until early March depending on the extent of flower bud damage.

Abnormally high winter temperatures increase the survival rate of overwintering pests such as scale insects, brown-winged cicadas, and American lanternflies, advancing their occurrence and adversely affecting fruit trees, thus requiring thorough monitoring and pest control measures.

Na Sang-in, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, stated, “Due to the mild weather this winter, damage to dormant fruit crops is expected, so we will strengthen promotional activities and on-site technical support to prevent damage to farmers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.