Chile’s renowned Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso’s School of Agronomy, under the leadership of Professor Eduardo Fernández, is spearheading a research endeavor titled “Enhancing Phenological Models to Predict Cherry Blossom in Future Climate Scenarios.” Supported by funding from Fondecyt 2024, this initiative delves into the repercussions of climate change on the phenology of deciduous trees, with a specific focus on cherry trees spanning multiple decades. The primary objective is to refine predictive techniques to anticipate the effects of temperature fluctuations on cherry blossoms, a matter of paramount importance for the cherry industry.
Accurate forecasting of flowering timing holds crucial implications for optimizing foliar treatments, facilitating pollination activities, and streamlining harvest labor recruitment processes. Given the pivotal role of cherry exports in bolstering the national economy, Chile stands to reap significant benefits from advancements in this domain. To ensure the direct relevance of the project’s outcomes to the Chilean cherry sector, the research team has forged collaborative partnerships with approximately 40 orchards, consultants, and research institutions across the country.
The pronounced variability in bloom dates, spurred by climate change, underscores the urgency of this research endeavor in devising effective agricultural strategies to mitigate its impact.
Source: Fresh Plaza
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