Black frost destroys citrus, horticulture
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
A lot of farmers in Bulawayo’s peri urban farming area last week lost most
of their horticulture crops and citrus produce to severe frost following a
cold spell experienced in most parts of the country.
12.07.1105:26pm
Zwanai Sithole Harare
Farmers who spoke to The Zimbabwean said their crops had been destroyed by
frost bite, which hit most parts of Matabeleland destroying crops such as
tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, maize and flowers.
“I lost my entire one hectare of tomato crop to the frost. All along I have
been irrigating my crop every day to prevent the frost – but all was in
vain. This is a big loss considering that the tomatoes were almost ripe,”
said Tobias Khan, a farmer in Trenance.
Khan said since he started farming in 1999 he has not experienced such a
severe frost as the one which damaged his crop last week.
The frost also left a trail of destruction at a flower producing farm owned
by Richard Khumalo along the Bulawayo/Victoria Falls road.
“We haven’t experienced such a severe frost as this one before. It must have
been the black frost I have heard of that destroys everything. I lost my
entire flower crop which was meant for export to South Africa,” said
Khumalo.
One of the biggest producers of horticultural produce and citrus fruits,
Willgrove Farm Enterprise in Esigodini in Matabeleland South also had its
tomato crop and citrus plantation damaged by the frost.
Early frost can be detrimental to crops especially if the development has
been delayed.
The extent of damage caused frost depends on the temperature, length of
exposure time, humidity levels and speed to which the freezing temperature
was reached.
Frost damage occurs as moisture within the plant crystallises and expands.
This causes cells to rupture and fluid to leak out thus, the watery
appearance of plant tissue or seed after a damaging frost. Last week
temperatures plummeted to as low as minus 11 degrees with some areas
recording temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Celsius.