Jeongeup City Strengthens On-site Technical Guidance for Field and Greenhouse Farmers Amid Prolonged Heatwave

Timely Water Supply, Moisture Evaporation Management, and Pest Prevention Emphasized

The recent persistently high temperatures are placing a significant burden not only on people but also on crops. In particular, field crops such as peppers can experience a sharp decline in growth if soil moisture becomes insufficient, and crops in greenhouse facilities are highly susceptible to damage as the internal temperature rises rapidly.

Farmers are diligently harvesting peppers despite the continuous heatwave. Provided by Jeongeup City Hall

Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province is strengthening on-site technical guidance for both field and greenhouse farmers in preparation for the increased risk of crop damage due to the ongoing heatwave.

On August 7, the Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center advised field crop growers to supply water in a timely manner by utilizing sprinklers or drip irrigation systems to prevent soil from drying out. The agency also emphasized the importance of covering the soil with straw or nonwoven fabric to prevent soil temperature from rising and to reduce moisture evaporation.

If scorching from intense sunlight causes sunburn damage to fruits, the damaged fruits need to be removed so that new fruits can grow normally. In addition, it is essential to control pests and diseases—such as tobacco cutworms, thrips, and aphids—at the appropriate time, as their occurrence increases during periods of high temperatures in order to minimize losses.

Temperature management is crucial for greenhouse facilities. In greenhouses, managing the internal temperature is of utmost importance. If the internal temperature rises above 40°C, flowers may not pollinate properly and may fall off; if it rises to around 50°C, severe damage may occur, such as growing points drying out and dying.

Furthermore, if soil temperature exceeds 30°C, the roots are unable to absorb nutrients efficiently, which can halt crop growth and increase the likelihood of fruit deformities or curvature due to calcium deficiency, lowering marketability.

To prevent such issues, it is advisable to install shade screens during midday and ventilate frequently to keep the greenhouse temperature below 30°C. Using cooling devices around the roots or supplying water in small amounts at frequent intervals to lower soil temperature can also be effective. For crops with reduced vigor, it is necessary to manage recovery through foliar fertilization.

Kang Yongwon, Director of the Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "There are concerns about declining crop growth and quality due to the heatwave," and added, "We will strengthen on-site technical guidance to help minimize the damage suffered by local farmers."

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