(Jeonju=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jin-bang = The Rural Development Administration warned on the 26th about potential heat damage to medicinal crops this summer due to abnormal climate conditions, urging thorough management including moisture control and pest prevention.
Medicinal crops like cnidium and angelica typically grow in cool, well-ventilated mountainous areas, making them highly vulnerable to high temperatures, direct sunlight, and moisture stress.
When cnidium is exposed to temperatures over 30 degrees in hot and humid environments, growth becomes poor and root rot incidence tends to increase. Angelica also frequently experiences stem collapse and petiole decay in hot and humid conditions.
Especially in high-temperature environments, the evapotranspiration rate of crops is fast, so water must be frequently provided to prevent soil and plants from drying out, which can cause leaf withering and growth stoppage.
Additionally, as respiratory activity becomes more active, energy consumption increases, so nutritional management must be carefully considered.
Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer can increase pest and disease occurrence, so instead of nitrogen, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) should be supplied to enhance crops' heat tolerance.
Attention must also be paid to pests like aphids and mites, and diseases such as anthracnose and wilting.
Pest reproduction speed dramatically increases at temperatures above 25 degrees, so preventive observation and weed removal in cultivation areas are necessary.
Furthermore, diseased plants should be immediately removed to prevent spread. If pest and disease occurrence is suspected, check symptoms on 'Nongsaro' (www.nongsaro.go.kr) and apply appropriate treatments.
Ma Gyeong-ho, director of the Special Crop Breeding Division at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, stated, "Summer management significantly impacts the growth and harvest of heat-sensitive medicinal crops like cnidium and angelica," urging farmers to thoroughly prepare to minimize heat damage.
chinakim@yna.co.kr