Report
Managing heat stress in apple orchards
Technical bulletin (Washington State University. Extension), 103E, Washington State University Extension
12/2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007115
Abstract
In apple orchards, heat stress can be problematic and cause severe damage to trees and fruit. Symptoms associated with heat stress include leaf wilting, scorched leaf edges, dead leaves or leaf drop, premature blossom or fruit drop, direct damage to fruit, and more. Climate projections suggest more frequent extreme weather events, including the occurrence of high temperatures. Heat stress occurs during exposure to high temperatures and can affect plant function and growth. Heat stress is especially problematic during fruit growth and development. Heat stress is most dangerous for young trees that do not have established canopies; smaller canopies mean reduced capacity for microclimate cooling. Larger trees take up more water from the soil, allowing for better temperature regulation through transpiration and greater shading provided by their established canopies. Although heat stress will likely become more prevalent in the coming decades, management strategies are available. This publication will highlight the underlying mechanisms of heat stress and management strategies that can be used in Pacific Northwest orchards. Whether through active management strategies, like netting or evaporative cooling, or passive management strategies, like cultivar selection and orchard location, there are a number of ways to mitigate heat stress in apple orchards.
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Details
- Title
- Managing heat stress in apple orchards
- Creators
- Thiago Campbell (Author) - Washington State UniversityLee A Kalcsits (Author) - Washington State University, Department of HorticultureMichelle M M. Moyer (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Plant Pathology
- Academic Unit
- Publications, WSU Extension
- Series
- Technical bulletin (Washington State University. Extension); 103E
- Publisher
- Washington State University Extension; Pullman, Washington
- Number of pages
- 7
- Identifiers
- 99901179233201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report