Hailstorms: crop recovery with BioAksxter®

In recent years, as a result of climate change, hail events have become increasingly problematic.

Above all, the extent, intensity and frequency have changed considerably, but compensation for damage only occurs when it is 30% or more of the gross saleable production (EU Regulation No. 702/2014). When farms suffer hailstorms with less than 30 per cent damage several times in the same crop cycle, the actual loss is even greater. 

Irreparable damage to crops does not only affect the current year, but in the case of multi-annual crops also compromises the following year's production: severely damaged buds will no longer be able to sprout and bear fruit; buds unable to lignify will penalise production; late hailstorms will not allow the plant to recover. 

Unhealed hail wounds promote the risk of infection by fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens, leading to loss of quality if not rot or desiccation and loss of production.

More or less severe bruising leads to discarding or depreciation of the fruit. Injuries and lacerations of the plant tissues compromise the normal development of the plant by preventing its functionality. Furthermore, if the plant uses its energy to recover from the damage suffered at the time, it will not have enough for the subsequent phenological phases.

Case history no. 1: post-hail interventions with BioAksxter®

On the night of 31 August 2019, a hailstorm hit the plot of the Azienda Agricola F.S. based in Villafranca (VR), causing significant damage to crops. The company, which has been using BioAksxter® for three years with satisfactory results, specialises in the production of vegetables, in particular cauliflower, radicchio and sugar loaf. Production is carried out using the organic method.

The hailstorm that affected the lower Verona area literally shredded young plants and the most advanced crops.

Crops hit by hail on 31-08-2019 - Azienda Agricola F.S. Villafranca (VR)

Crops hit by hail on 31-08-2019 - Azienda Agricola F.S. Villafranca (VR)

Before 31 August, treatments with M31 (500 ml distributed in 8-10 hl mixture) were carried out: 2 on cauliflower, 0 on radicchio, 1 on sugar loaf. The crop cycle of the plants is approximately 60 days. By 31 August, transplanting had been carried out: 15-20 days earlier for cauliflower, 8-10 days for sugar loaf, 1 day later for radicchio.

After 31 August: 1 treatment with M31 (100 ml/hl in 8-10 hl) on 2 September, 2 with M31 (100 ml/hl in 8-10 hl) + M32 (150-200 ml/hl in 8-10 hl) on 10 and 17 September. 

Crop recovery following hail damage

Following the hail event, interventions with BioAksxter® proved decisive for crop recovery.

In fact, the three treatments carried out within 15 days showed progressive crop regeneration, documented after 3, 7 and 18 days respectively. With the use of BioAksxter®, the company in question was able to avoid significant economic losses.

Crop recovery after 3 days from the first post-hail treatment - Azienda Agricola F.S. Villafranca (VR)

Crop recovery after 7 days from the first post-hail treatment - Azienda Agricola F.S. Villafranca (VR)

Crop recovery following interventions with BioAksxter®: 18 days after the hail event - Azienda Agricola F.S. Villafranca (VR)

Case history no. 2: post-hail interventions with BioAksxter® on processing tomatoes

On 22 June 2020, the M.L. farm in Foiano della Chiana (AR) was hit by a violent hailstorm that severely damaged the already advanced crop, jeopardising plants, flowers and berries. 

Crops hit by hail on 22-06-2020 - Azienda Agricola M.L. Foiano della Chiana (AR)

In this case, the intervention plan included 5 treatments with BioAksxter® M31 Agriculture. Just 4 days after the first treatment, the customer reported that the crop had restarted, and the plants were flourishing again. After the third treatment, the crop recovered completely. 

The customer jokingly commented, ‘consider that from being nothing there is now a wall of stuff’.

Crop recovery 5 days after the hail event - Azienda Agricola M.L. Foiano della Chiana (AR)

Crop recovery 5 days after the hail event - Azienda Agricola M.L. Foiano della Chiana (AR)

Crop recovery from the hail event after 3 treatments - Azienda Agricola M.L. Foiano della Chiana (AR)

Crop recovery from the hail event after 3 treatments - Azienda Agricola M.L. Foiano della Chiana (AR)

Conclusions

Treatments with BioAksxter® throughout the entire crop cycle result in greater crop resistance to adverse conditions. In case of extreme climatic events, regularly treated plants are more reactive and are able to recover faster from the damage suffered.

Intervention with BioAksxter® after the hailstorm event and subsequent treatments during the crop cycle heal wounds, safeguarding the year's production and, in the case of tree crops following bud damage, production for the following year.

In the case of thin-skinned fruits (e.g. grapes, small fruits), wounds caused by hail encourage the development of fungal infections, such as botrytis. Thanks to BioAksxter®, in addition to avoiding or greatly limiting the incidence of these diseases, it is possible to rebuild the vegetative apparatus in a short time.