In early May, a sudden drop in nighttime temperatures in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in significant damage to fruit-bearing trees. Petro Lyakhovich, a farm owner from Vladimirovka village, reported that the mercury dipping to -1°C led to frost damage to his apricot and plum trees, according to SEEDS.
“Despite a generally warm spring, the frost on the night of May 5th, though seemingly minor, had a substantial impact. While a few apricots survived, the plum crops were entirely decimated. This phenomenon is not uncommon annually, but the extent of the damage this year was unprecedented, affecting approximately 2.5 hectares,” Lyakhovich conveyed.
Lyakhovich notes that apricots are particularly vulnerable to freezing due to their early blooming and fruit-setting period. This year marked the first instance of plum crops succumbing to the cold. He attributes this to the premature arrival of warm weather, which prompted an earlier than usual fruit development.
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“The fruits were in a delicate state, just beginning to take shape. Had they been more developed or not yet formed, the damage might have been less severe. This spring, however, saw a premature progression of the growing season,” Lyakhovich shared with ‘Suspilne.’
Farmers in other regions have faced similar challenges. “Colleagues from the Vinnytsia and Chernivtsi regions report varying degrees of tree damage. In the Novomoskovsk district, the frost even claimed entire fields,” Lyakhovich added.
As it stands, the frostbitten fruits will yield no harvest, Lyakhovich lamented. Despite efforts to shield the trees from the cold, the measures proved ineffective.
“Diverse methods exist to combat frost: from simple water spraying, smoke fumigation, to bonfire lighting. There are also sophisticated machines that generate warm air, but the costs are prohibitive. I’ve even applied anti-stress treatments to no avail,” Lyakhovich detailed.
Lyakhovich warns that should the frosts recur, the cherry crops may also be at risk of failing this year.
