Senior Agronomist, Lazarus Gatawa, has advised tobacco farmers living near water sources that are close to chrome washing and processing points to seek clean water sources far away from these areas.
Chrome (FeCr2O4) is a crystalline mineral composed primarily of iron(II) oxide and chromium(III) oxide compounds. Crops like tobacco will not grow well when the plant absorbs moisture polluted by chrome due to chromium (VI) toxicity which affects seed germination and development of roots and shoots, said Gatawa.
Farmers who normally rely on perennial rivers and streams around the Great dyke, Mutorashanga and Birkdale areas are being advised to resort to dam water far from the affected riverine areas.
Gatawa said Chromium toxicity will affect the germination and growth of tobacco seedlings hence farmers should quickly look for reliable and perennial water sources far away from these rivers to avoid losses and poor quality seedlings.
If the chosen seedbed site is downstream but not yet affected, it is also discouraged because when rains come the water will be contaminated by chromium through river flows.
Once again farmers are being encouraged to establish their seedbeds earlier to enable early planting as a mitigatory factor against the unreliable rain patterns caused by climate change and the Elnino phenomenon.