In late April, the expansive loess plateaus of Qingyang present a vibrant scene, with green wheat fields and golden rapeseed blossoms creating a picturesque landscape. The region's apple orchards are particularly striking, with rows of trees in full bloom stretching toward the horizon. However, on April 18, meteorological authorities issued a frost warning for the early morning of April 22. By April 21, unexpected rain and snow had already dusted the delicate blossoms, posing a serious threat to apple production and annual yields, challenging Qingyang's apple industry.
Local government departments, technical experts, and fruit growers swiftly mobilized to combat the late spring cold, implementing measures to minimize damage from low temperatures. In Xifeng District's Dongzhi Town, at the Juli Ecological Agriculture apple demonstration base, workers and nearby farmers prepared stacks of firewood and wheat straw and pre-charged anti-frost machines. According to Zhang Xiwen, head of Gansu Juli Ecological Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd., these preparations allowed them to generate smoke for warmth and operate anti-frost fans or drones to increase orchard temperatures via remote control.
Wang Xixia, director of the Xifeng District Fruit Industry Center, emphasized that early warnings and continuous monitoring helped prevent critical damage. With temperatures recorded at 1.6 to 1.8 degrees Celsius on the morning of April 22—above the freezing threshold of -1 to -5 degrees Celsius that endangers apple blossoms—the focus remained on precautionary steps. The base is equipped with 18 anti-frost machines, providing comprehensive coverage across 1,200 mu of orchards.
Zhang Xiwen noted that the orchard's use of cold-resistant, disease-resistant saplings and integrated water-fertilization systems has enhanced tree resilience, with a survival rate of 99%. In Ning County, authorities organized technical teams to guide farmers in frost prevention, deploying resources like anti-frost machines, heating stoves, and temperature monitors. Liu Qingyi, chairman of Jinnong Agricultural Development Company, highlighted strategies such as delayed flower thinning and controlled fruit retention to ensure quality.
Supported by a 3.5 million yuan investment from China Development Investment Group, Ning County is advancing its digital disaster-prevention system, installing anti-hail nets and smart frost-control devices. In Zheng Yang Agricultural Company’s core orchard in Zhongcun Town, 90 large anti-frost machines and emergency heating materials provide dual protection across 12,000 mu. In Qingcheng County, farmers adopted additional methods like smoke generation, anti-freeze agents, and soil mulching to conserve heat.
Qingyang City has strengthened its orchard protection infrastructure, installing 430 anti-frost machines and 44,000 mu of anti-hail nets, alongside technical training programs to improve bloom management and disaster resilience. Through standardized cultivation and intelligent management, Qingyang is safeguarding its premium "Qingyang Apple" brand, nurturing each blossom in hopes of a fruitful autumn harvest.
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