ISHS Acta Horticulturae 416: IV International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTHESIS PHENOLOGY OF DECIDUOUS FRUIT TREES |
| Authors: | S. D. Seeley, J. LaMar Anderson, James W. Frisby, Mervin G. Weeks |
| Abstract:
Anthesis of deciduous fruit tree buds is temperature driven. Its initiation begins after the dormant period has ended in cool temperate climates, but is more complex in warm climates where the chill requirement may never be satisfied. We forced deciduous fruit flower buds at constant temperatures from 2 to 24°C. Anthesis development increased in a linear fashion over this temperature range. We found no low temperature optimum in the late chilling period or at any time during anthesis. Most of the changes in anthesis heat unit requirement could be assigned to additional chilling or heat unit accumulation in the field. There appeared to be a significant decrease in heat unit requirement for anthesis of later collections. This could be due to additional chilling beyond the traditional model requirements and/or to heat unit accumulation in the field. Dormancy/anthesis transition models are needed in climates where insufficient chilling occurs. | |
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