Frosts represent one of the most significant threats to agriculture, capable of destroying crops within hours. For this reason, it is crucial to implement effective strategies to control and mitigate their effects. In this article, we will explore the passive and active strategies that farmers can use to protect their crops from frost.
Types of Frost
It is important to understand the different types of frost to apply the correct strategies.
Radiation Frost
Occurs due to intense heat loss from the ground during the night, cooling the lower layers of the atmosphere. They are more common when the sky is clear, with no wind and low humidity.
Advection Frost
Produced by the movement of cold air masses, covering large areas and persisting for several hours or nights. This type of frost is more damaging due to the dry and cold air.
Passive Strategies
Passive strategies are applied before frost arrives, aimed at minimizing potential damage. These preventive measures are essential to ensure the long-term health of crops.
Selecting Varieties Resistant to Low Temperatures
Choosing crop varieties that are naturally resistant to low temperatures is one of the most effective strategies. These plants are adapted to survive adverse conditions and can withstand frost better.
Benefits: Lower risk of frost damage, greater crop resilience.
Costs: Generally no additional costs, although resistant seeds may be slightly more expensive.
Choosing the Ideal Planting Location
The location of the crop plays a crucial role in protection against frost. It is advisable to avoid low areas, as they are more prone to frost due to the accumulation of cold air. In contrast, slopes and elevated areas tend to be safer.
Benefits: Lower likelihood of frost, better air flow.
Costs: May involve additional costs if it requires changing location or preparing new farmland.
Avoiding Compact Soils
Compact soils retain less heat during the day, which can result in lower temperatures at night. Using appropriate tillage techniques to prevent soil compaction can help maintain higher temperatures around plant roots.
Benefits: Greater heat retention, better soil and plant health.
Costs: Investment in tillage equipment and potential changes in soil management practices.
Adapting Tillage, Nutrition, Irrigation, and Pruning
In frost-prone regions, adjusting agricultural practices is essential. Adapting tillage, nutrition, irrigation, and plant pruning can help improve their resistance to cold. For instance, avoiding excessive pruning and ensuring plants receive sufficient water and nutrients can strengthen them against frost.
Benefits: Stronger and more resilient plants.
Costs: May involve changes in work methods and additional costs in fertilizers and irrigation systems.
Applying Mulch to the Soil
Mulches are materials such as straw, plastic, or geotextiles placed over the soil to act as a protective barrier against autumn frosts. These materials help retain soil heat and protect plant roots.
Benefits: Soil and root protection, improvement in soil temperature.
Costs: Costs of mulching materials and labor for installation.
Active Strategies
Active strategies are applied when strong frosts are forecast, and their aim is to provide heat to the crops to prevent damage. These measures require more direct intervention and often involve the use of specific technologies.
Using Heaters or Stoves
Heaters use fossil fuels to generate heat. Standard models consume between 1.8 and 2 liters of fuel per hour and require between 70 and 100 heaters per hectare. Although effective in generating heat, heaters have high operational costs due to constant fuel consumption and emit polluting gases, making them less sustainable compared to Tierraverde solutions.
Paraffin Torches
Lighting straw bales or paraffin torches is a simple and accessible technique for generating heat. However, this method has high ongoing costs and presents fire risks. Moreover, it is very unsustainable due to high smoke and CO2 emissions.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Our technologies like the Pulsator 205™ along with Pulsemax 360º, apply water in high-frequency, low-flow pulses. This technology forms a layer of ice that protects the plants by releasing heat when the water freezes. These systems use up to three times less water than traditional sprinklers, making them much more efficient and sustainable. Additionally, they are ideal for crops like cherries, avocados, citrus, blueberries, kiwis, olives, and vineyards.
In terms of costs, the initial investment in pulsating systems can be high, but the operational costs are significantly lower due to the reduced water and energy consumption. This not only reduces the environmental impact but also offers a more economical long-term solution.
Electric Towers
To generate and distribute heat uniformly. This tower combines upper layers of air, of higher temperature, preventing frost damage from the ground to the tree tops. With a 30 HP motor, it has the capacity to cover up to 5 hectares, and its aerodynamic design minimizes noise and eliminates CO2 emissions. Moreover, its installation is simple and quick, and operational costs are considerably lower compared to towers that use oil or gas.
In terms of sustainability, the Antibrina 3-22 is environmentally friendly and promotes community well-being. Its use of clean energy significantly reduces pollutant emissions, making this tower an ideal option for orchards in water-scarce areas and for those farmers seeking sustainable solutions.
The best strategy to protect crops from frost is a combination of passive and active measures. Knowing the meteorological and topographical conditions that cause frost is crucial to applying the appropriate measures in each case.
Frosts are a serious threat to agriculture, but with the implementation of passive and active strategies, farmers can minimize damage and protect their crops. Selecting resistant varieties, choosing suitable locations, avoiding compact soils, adapting agricultural practices, and using irrigation and heating technologies are effective methods to combat frost. By combining these measures and staying informed about weather conditions, farmers can ensure the health and productivity of their crops even in the coldest conditions.
These techniques not only help protect current crops but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture, allowing farmers to face climatic challenges with greater confidence and efficiency.
