Apple and Pear Growers Should Check Flowers for Freeze Damage

Apr 23, 2020

By James Schupp

Similar to what we reported for peaches yesterday, weather stations at the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Adams County showed that there was a strong temperature inversion about 5 a.m. with calm winds. The temperature at 837 feet elevation above sea level was 31°F, while at 810 feet elevation it was 28°F. At 730 ft. elevation we recorded 25°on a second weather station.

The differences in air temperature caused by the inversion resulted in a wide range of crop damage estimates. Melanie Schupp examined all the flowers on 20 spurs each of several varieties and recorded the elevation in several blocks. Fruitlet death was evident by browning of the ovules. The table shows that pome fruit at higher elevation had almost no injury, while those at lower elevation sustained significant damage. Some orchards in the region have reported no damage, while others are reporting severe damage.

We noted that Pink Lady and Regal 10-45 had less freeze damage in rows adjacent to Fuji which were nearly 100% dead. Another interesting observation was that almost all surviving flowers of Golden Delicious were the “king flowers” in the center of the cluster.

Growers are advised to cut some flowers and check for dark centers, paying attention to site elevation. The severity of injury can be very different at different locations of a given block, as is shown in the table with Honeycrisp and Gala apples, as well as Harrow Sweet pear. If severe damage is noted you should alert your crop insurance adjuster.

An orchard can sustain some freeze damage and still produce a crop. For example, if blossom density is good, a single fruit on every other spur may be adequate for a full crop. Developing fruits will need to be examined closely after they have grown a bit for loss of fruit quality due to russet and frost rings.

Orchard blocks with good bloom density and less than 50% flower damage may still need to be chemically thinned. These assessments should be done by petal fall so that a full range of thinning options are available for managing the crop if there is no damage.

Table 1. Freeze Injury to Apple and Pear Flowers by Variety and Site Elevation, April 17, 2020.

Variety	Honeycrisp	Honeycrisp	Gala	Gala	Gala	Fuji	Regal 10–45	Pink Lady	Golden Delicious
% Damage	98%	35%	94%	59%	7%	99%	13%	56%	77%
Elevation in Feet	749	773	750	775	799	755	758	764	769

Variety	Harrow Sweet Pears	Harrow Sweet Pears
% Damage	100%	0%
Elevation in Feet	767	785

Source : psu.edu

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.