Heavy rains fell in the metropolitan and fifth and sixth regions from May 31 to June 5, peaking on June 3. Some 2,000ha of vegetable production has been directly affected by the inclement weather damaging roots and limiting their ability to absorb nutrients and leading to problems with disease.
The danger now is that the water-logged soils will be prone to the effects of frost making it hard for plants to absorb the water necessary for survival in the ice-laden ground.
Christian Carvajal of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in Santiago forecasts that the main effect will be on domestic consumption of vegetables and reports of damage to fruit lines are unfounded. 'Avocados have largely gone unaffected,' said Carvajal. 'S
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