How to protect vegetable crops from heatwave and high temperature stress?

Heat stress causes flower drop, sunburn and wilting, so the goal is to keep the root zone cool and moist and reduce direct heat. Irrigate in the early morning or evening, never in peak afternoon, and switch to drip so the soil stays evenly moist with less water loss. Mulch the beds with straw or crop residue to lower soil temperature and conserve moisture, and use shade net over sensitive vegetable and nursery crops during the hottest weeks. A foliar spray of potassium or recommended anti transpirant and kaolin can reduce stress and sunburn. Avoid heavy nitrogen in extreme heat. Choose heat tolerant varieties and adjust sowing so flowering does not fall in the hottest part of the season. Follow the heatwave warnings in the agromet bulletin.