Biologist warned summer residents about the danger of the May cold snap for the harvest

The cold snap in May, with nighttime temperatures of about +4...+7 degrees, can seriously slow down the development of heat-loving crops and affect future harvests. Roman Oparin, Associate Professor of the Department of General Biology and Bioecology at the State University of Education, told Izvestia about this on May 27.

According to the expert, even without frost, plants in such conditions experience pronounced physiological stress. Their absorption of water and nutrients deteriorates, the activity of the root system decreases and photosynthesis is disrupted. At the same time, the effects of a cold snap are not always immediately noticeable.

"A plant can remain green and look normal on the outside, but at the same time hardly grow for several days or even weeks. Weakened crops become more vulnerable to diseases and root rot," Oparin explained.

The expert named cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, pumpkins, watermelons and melons as the most sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Cucumber is especially hard to bear the cold: the night temperature below +12 degrees becomes critical for it, and at +5 ... +7 degrees the growth practically stops.

Peppers and eggplants react to cold weather in a similar way. Tomatoes are considered more stable, but they also experience severe stress at temperatures below +10 degrees. With prolonged cooling, plants may noticeably lag behind in development, and flowering and ovary formation may deteriorate. Among the greenery, basil tolerates the cold especially badly.

They like it heavier: what fruits and vegetables can not be eaten every day

Experts advise taking into account the glycemic index of foods.

The expert recommends not rushing to plant heat-loving crops in the open ground if cold nights are predicted. According to him, waiting a few days is often more useful than landing early in unstable weather.

Oparin called the agrofibre shelter on the arches the most effective way to protect plants. It helps to maintain a warmer microclimate and reduces temperature fluctuations. Additional protection is also provided by double shelters with film, warm beds, mulching and planting near southern walls or fences.

At the same time, the expert warned that evening watering with cold water before a cold snap can only increase stress on the root system of plants.

According to the expert, modern varieties and hybrids differ in their resistance to cold. For unstable spring, early-ripening and zoned varieties for open ground are usually recommended. Cucumbers have hybrids marked "cold-resistant", and among tomatoes, the early determinant forms are considered more stable.

"The variety cannot completely protect the plant from the cold, but adapted forms usually tolerate stress more easily and recover faster after a cold snap," Oparin concluded.

Forecaster and meteorologist Alexander Shuvalov told Izvestia on May 26 that June is a transitional month between spring and the peak of summer, so both abnormal cold and extreme heat can be recorded this month. At the same time, the average monthly temperature in June can vary greatly from year to year.