Question

List four ways to protect crops from frost (Pala), such as irrigation or creating smoke.

Hint:

Light irrigation before sunrise is especially effective because water releases heat slowly, preventing sudden temperature drops that cause frost injury.

Answer 1

Concept: Frost (Pala) occurs when temperature drops near or below \(0^\circ C\), causing ice formation on plant tissues. This damages crops by rupturing cells and reducing yield. Farmers use preventive methods to maintain temperature and reduce frost impact. Methods to Protect Crops from Frost:
Irrigation: Water releases latent heat as it freezes, which helps maintain the temperature around crops and prevents severe frost damage.
Creating Smoke (Smudging): Burning organic materials produces smoke that forms a protective layer, reducing heat loss from the soil and preventing rapid cooling.
Covering Crops: Using plastic sheets, straw, or cloth covers traps heat near the plants and protects them from cold air exposure.
Using Heaters or Wind Machines: Heaters raise field temperature, while wind machines mix warm upper air with cold lower air to reduce frost formation.