Chungnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services Strengthens Response to Unusual Spring Weather... All-Out Efforts to Protect Horticultural Crops

Chungnam Provincial Government Office Building Exterior

The Chungnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced on the 19th that it will strengthen on-site inspections and technical support to minimize damage to horticultural crops caused by abnormal spring weather.

According to Chungnam Province and the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures this spring are expected to be similar to or slightly higher than average, with precipitation also projected to be similar to previous years.

However, considering the abnormal low temperatures and hail damage that occur every year between March and May, thorough advance preparation is essential.

Accordingly, to ensure stable production and supply of horticultural crops, the agency is cooperating with local governments to form a growth inspection council, and has been conducting joint inspections since the 4th until the end of April, when the initial growth period ends.

This inspection focuses on checking preventive facilities such as wind machines and micro-sprinkler systems in major fruit-producing areas, and is also strengthening technical support for farmers, such as the application of nutritional supplements to enhance cold resistance.

In particular, farmers are being actively informed about precautions to take in the event of abnormal low or high temperatures.

It is important to closely observe the development of flower buds and, if pollination and fertilization are not proceeding smoothly, to carry out artificial pollination. In addition, it is crucial to prepare horticultural oil and applicable pesticides in advance to reduce pest density in pear orchards.

Timely control of Chugyeongbaenamui is also necessary to reduce the burden of pest management during the flowering and harvesting periods.

Thorough preparation is also required for the timely transplanting and growth management of open-field vegetables such as spring cabbage, as well as for the management of garlic and onion during their regrowth period.

To prevent cold damage, insulation measures using non-woven fabric or plastic coverings are being implemented, and disease and pest monitoring, as well as appropriate topdressing, are being intensively managed in cooperation with the Specialty Crop Research Institute.

In addition, real-time pest and disease forecasting information for major crops such as pear, chili pepper, peach, apple, and persimmon is being shared using the "Horticultural Crop Pest Control Helper" app developed by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science.

Through this, farmers are being guided on the appropriate selection and timing of pesticide applications, and plans are in place to expand pest control guidance based on digital technology.

Jang Jeongsik, head of the Technology Dissemination and Horticulture-Livestock Team, said, "In the case of fruit trees, if the flowering period is early, cold damage can be severe," and emphasized, "If subzero temperatures below -2°C are forecast after flowering, thorough preparation is necessary, such as operating wind machines and using smoke methods in parallel."

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