Unpredictable weather causes concern for durian growers.

(GLO) - Consecutive unseasonal rains coinciding with the durian flowering period, along with early morning frost, have left many orchard owners anxious. Having just been affected during the pollination stage, they now face the risk of premature fruit drop, raising concerns about reduced yields for the entire season.

In major durian-growing areas of the province such as Chu Prong, Dak Doa, Ia Grai, Kon Gang communes, etc., farmers are entering a crucial stage of care that will determine the yield and quality of this year's crop. However, unusual weather patterns have led many orchard owners to predict that both yield and quality are at risk of declining.

The risk of reduced productivity and quality is increasing.

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Chinh (in Ban Tan village, Chu Prong commune) owns 130 durian trees, 100 of which are in their third year of production. During the flowering and pollination periods of all three batches, they were hit by early seasonal rains. The combination of scorching hot days and cold nights caused 50-70% of the flowers to be damaged, resulting in a low fruit set rate. Subsequently, many trees experienced further premature fruit drop due to rain combined with physiological fruit drop.

"My orchard is focusing on nurturing the fruit to be round, with yellow and thick flesh. If the weather is favorable, the average yield could reach 100 kg/tree, but with the current situation, it might only be around 50 kg/tree," said Mrs. Chinh.

Many durian trees in the garden of Ms. Nguyen Thi Chinh's family (Ban Tan village, Chu Prong commune) have lost their young fruit after unseasonal rains and due to physiological fruit drop. Photo: VT

To achieve high yields and good fruit quality, durian trees require many factors, the most important of which are stable weather and proper, consistent care methods.

The Farmers' Association of Ban Tan village (Chu Prong commune) has 80 members, with nearly 100 hectares of durian trees. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, this year's harvest is predicted to yield only about 70% of the expected fruit, with many orchards only achieving 30-50%.

According to Mr. Pham Ba Minh, the head of the association, prolonged rain during the fruiting stage causes the fruit to become tough and significantly affects the selling price. Last year, for example, many batches could only be sold as ice cream or processed products, with prices 50-70% lower than those of high-quality durian.

In the two communes of Dak Doa and Kon Gang – durian-growing regions where harvesting usually happens later than in other areas – people are currently focusing mainly on caring for the trees during the flowering stage.

Ms. Duong Thi Anh Tam (Hamlet 2, Dak Doa Commune) shared: "Since the beginning of the season, there have been three frosts accompanied by unseasonal rains, greatly affecting the flowering process. Currently, the plants in my garden are only in the pollination stage; if conditions are favorable, we will start harvesting around September."

Proactively shift cropping patterns and improve techniques to maintain productivity.

Given the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, some experienced gardeners have proactively adjusted their cultivation techniques to induce later flowering compared to the main season.

Mr. Tran Van Hung (from Ktu village, Kon Gang commune) said that in order to avoid the unseasonal rains and frost that have been occurring recently, his family has been treating the trees to make them bloom out of season.

This process is complex and requires more advanced techniques, but it helps to mitigate the adverse effects of weather and avoid simultaneous harvesting that would lead to intense price competition.

The family of Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc (Ban Tan village, Chu Prong commune, on the right) has 1.3 hectares of coffee intercropped with 160 durian trees. Photo: VT

Meanwhile, in Chu Prong commune, many orchard owners are entering a phase of focusing on caring for and preserving the fruit before harvest, which will take about 1-1.5 months.

Mr. Pham Ba Minh, head of the Farmers' Association in Ban Tan village, said that farmers are currently focusing on preserving the fruit and minimizing further losses by hiring agricultural engineers to guide them on care procedures, from balancing nutrients and managing irrigation water to preventing fungal diseases and nurturing the fruit until harvest.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Chu Prong commune, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Chu Prong commune - informed: The commune currently has nearly 500 hectares of durian trees, mainly planted intercropped. Since the beginning of the year, prolonged hot weather interspersed with unseasonal rains has greatly affected the pollination process, increasing the rate of premature fruit drop and physiological fruit drop.

"It is predicted that physiological fruit drop may continue in the coming period. Therefore, many orchard owners are focusing on maintaining stable temperatures in their orchards, while also increasing nutritional care, using appropriate fertilizers and pesticides to minimize fruit drop," said Ms. Hoa.

The province currently has approximately 9,200 hectares of durian orchards, producing nearly 58,000 tons. Gia Lai durian is mainly consumed in the domestic market and exported to China as fresh fruit and frozen segments.

In the context of increasingly extreme weather, the challenge facing the durian industry is not only to expand acreage but also to control quality, enhance adaptability to climate change, and develop the industry in a sustainable direction.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/thoi-tiet-that-thuong-nguoi-trong-sau-rieng-lo-lang-post587677.html