Spain: frost control system in berries at low cost

Spain: low cost berry frost control system

03/05/2016

Although it may seem contradictory, this system, through the low application of water droplets, prevents frost by creating an ice film on the plants and fruits, maintaining humidity and preventing temperatures from falling below the 0 degrees and reaching the point of freezing.

"This system specialized in very complicated crops such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries that do not support large amounts of water", says Carlos Arenes, Manager of Control Frozen®

This system can be used both in greenhouses and in the open air. "The system in operation has a cost of 1 euro per hectare per hour, while the use of heating in greenhouses costs thousands of euros"says Carlos Arenes.

"Sometimes we find it hard to convince the producers to take the first step because it seems incredible to believe, but when they try this system they are really puzzled and ask us to cover all their fields, because it is very easy to install and use", says Carlos Arenes.

The frosts have historically been responsible for large losses in fruit trees and blueberry crops has not been the exception, as happened in the 2014 season where the losses reached 70%.

Climate change has become an important variable to consider in agriculture since the sudden changes in the climate in times of flowering and fruit set, sometimes happen in a totally unexpected way.

The situations mentioned affect more importantly the small producers since the large producers are protected in some way, with insurance and / or application of frost control systems.

Cranberry has become one of the main crops in Chile reaching a total area planted throughout the country of just over 13.162 hectares in 2012, of which 33% is grown between the regions of Araucanía, Los Rios and Los Lagos. In the south, frosts are the main problem that occurs at the end of winter and spring, which forces producers to have frost control systems. The market offers a wide range of control systems, however, it should be noted that farmers when deciding which to use, in addition to considering the effectiveness of the system, should consider the cost per hectare and the consumption of water, currently scarce resource, so that proper use becomes relevant through efficient and sustainable management.

Source: Agrimundo