The effects that the La Niña phenomenon would cause in agriculture

According to experts, the intensity of the phenomenon will be moderate and its consequences could influence the delay of harvests by at least two weeks, which would mean a slight increase in prices. This meteorological phase is estimated to last until March 2021.

Faced with the analyzes carried out in the meteorological area of ​​the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), during the quarter of September, October and November, the La Niña phenomenon settled in the territory to extend until March 2021.

Luis Muñoz, CEAZA meteorologist explained that, “as has already been observed during September and early October, spring will appear in several places with temperatures lower than normal, mainly on the coast, in relation to minimum and maximum temperatures. , as well as in the valleys, in terms of minimum temperatures ”.

2 weeks would be the time that some crops could be delayed due to the La Niña phase in the region.

Regarding summer, Muñoz suggests that it could behave in a similar way to spring. "The maximum temperatures in the valleys of the Coquimbo Region could also be below normal."

However, the meteorologist emphasizes that “it is not ruled out that heat waves or extreme events of high temperatures are recorded during the summer season, since these are specific situations and are not totally related to a phenomenon (such as La Niña) that modifies meteorological parameters at monthly or quarterly levels ”.

What about agriculture?

Given this phenomenon and how it would affect agriculture, Pablo Álvarez, academic from the Department of Agronomy at the University of La Serena and director of the PROMMRA Laboratory, explained that despite being under this phase, it will be of moderate intensity.

"Temperatures will decrease below the averages between the spring and summer months, and that will cause agriculture to have a longer period of crop growth," said Álvarez.

“What is going to happen is that he is going to travel for two weeks. Harvests will be slightly delayed and not for all species or varieties. Those that are late will continue to be so ", Pablo Álvarez, PROMMRA director

This effect is due to the fact that crops grow by accumulation of temperature, depending on the amount of heat found and radiation. In the event that temperatures drop, harvests may be delayed for 10-15 days. “What we were used to doing on a normal date, this time, what is going to happen is that it is going to move for two weeks. Harvests will be slightly delayed and not for all species or varieties. Those that are late will continue to be so ”.

"As has already been observed during September and early October, spring will occur in several places with temperatures lower than normal, mainly on the coast", Luis Muñoz, CEAZA meteorologist

This is due to the fact that the development of the crops is delayed according to the professional, since in "fruit trees that are early, the phenomenon can generate an effect of a small delay in the harvest dates and that if it can eventually affect prices . Even so, it does not appear as such a significant effect in agriculture ”, acknowledges the expert.

Another consequence caused by the delay in the development of crops is the increase in water consumption. The director of PROMMRA said that this is due to the fact that as more days are in process, “basically the growth period is lengthened, so there are more days of water demands. But it is compensated with a slight decrease in evaporation ”, he concluded.

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