Agriculture Ministry issues heat safety guidelines for field workers

The Ministry of Agriculture has recommended that farmers and farmers temporarily suspend fieldwork during peak heat hours in the current hot season. The ministry issued an official statement outlining safety measures for both agricultural workers and crop protection.

According to the Uzhydromet Center, air temperatures across Uzbekistan are expected to be 8–10°C above average, reaching up to 41–43°C between May 14 and 18. The ministry warned that such conditions could adversely affect the growth and development of crops. As a result, agrotechnical measures should be carried out based on scientific principles to minimize the harmful effects of extreme heat.

“In particular, farmers and peasants are advised to complete fieldwork by 10:00 in the morning and avoid working between 10:00 and 16:00 during the hottest part of the day. Workers should not drink water from plastic containers left in direct sunlight or consume perishable food products,” the statement said.

To improve resistance to high temperatures and water shortages, the ministry recommends the use of biostimulants, suspensions, ammonium nitrate, drip irrigation, and mulching with local organic fertilizers. Foliar feeding with liquid fertilizers containing boron, molybdenum, copper, iron, manganese, cobalt, nitrogen, and phosphorus is also advised. Special pest control treatments should be applied as needed.

It is also recommended to clean weeds from the edges of irrigation ditches and around sago palms and mulberry trees, using a 2–3% ISO solution. Creating a microclimate around the field using sprinklers and limiting the spread of harmful insects are considered vital steps.

In irrigated areas, nitrogen fertilizers should be applied at a rate of 50 kg/ha during the 2–4 leaf stage, and 75 kg/ha of nitrogen along with 50 kg/ha of potassium during the budding stage. Nighttime irrigation helps maintain soil moisture and reduces evaporation. For cotton fields grown under intensive technology, frequent drip irrigation at a rate of 100–120 m³/ha for 3–4 hours is recommended.

In grain farming, fields with mid- and late-ripening varieties in the central and northern regions should be irrigated at night using the juice method. In mountainous and foothill regions, where daytime temperatures do not exceed 30°C, foliar feeding with biostimulants in suspension form should be done before 10:00 in the morning or after 17:00 in the evening.

In rice cultivation, when temperatures exceed 38–40°C, the soil should be kept continuously moist, maintaining a water level of 5–10 cm. To save water, rotational irrigation and the use of water from vertical wells are recommended.

The ministry also emphasized the importance of using specific fertilizers and stress-reducing agents:

- Silicate fertilizers (e.g., potassium-silicate) help rice plants resist heat and strengthen plant cells.
- Biostimulants (such as epin, zircon, and megafol) reduce plant stress.
- Complex micronutrients (boron, manganese, and copper-based mixtures) support photosynthesis and encourage healthy growth.

In vegetable farming, plant growth depends heavily on air-soil temperature and the rate of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis increases when temperatures rise to 25–35°C, but is disrupted entirely when it reaches 40–50°C. While tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers thrive in temperatures between 20–30°C, they are not tolerant to extreme heat. Crops like melons, watermelons, squash, corn, and beans perform best around 30°C, but struggle when temperatures rise above 40–45°C.

Recommendations for vegetable protection during heat waves include:

- Watering at night to meet the plant’s moisture needs.
- Providing shade to reduce exposure to direct sunlight.
- Avoiding agrotechnical procedures such as weeding during the hottest hours of the day.

“In conditions of heat stress, it is important to ensure plants receive adequate nutrition. Foliar feeding with potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen helps support healthy and efficient growth,” the ministry noted.

The ministry also reported that prolonged high temperatures can negatively affect the growth and yield of fruit and grape varieties. Drip irrigation remains the most effective solution under such conditions, helping to maintain optimal soil moisture and ensure efficient water use.

Additional recommended measures for orchards and vineyards:

- Drip irrigation ensures accurate water delivery and reduces stress.
- Sprinkler irrigation provides uniform water coverage and allows for mineral fertilizer application in liquid form.
- Irrigation should be scheduled in the early morning or late evening, applying 15–25 liters of water per tree every 3–5 days.

Additional heat protection methods:

- Use of canopies made from agrofibre or shading nets to protect plants from UV rays and reduce heat exposure.
- Application of mineral fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium to increase heat tolerance.
- Foliar feeding with agents like Epin and Zircon to improve plant resistance to stress.

Finally, the ministry advised that fruits should be harvested during the cooler morning hours to avoid damage from extreme heat.