S16 - Session P3 - Phenological expression influenced by the sum of active temperatures and by cultivar in apricot

Authors: Imad Al-Suwaid, Sorin Iozu, Cosmin Mihai, Ana Cornelia Butcaru, Florin Stanica *

Climate change mitigation and adaptation have become a global challenge recently, requiring the development of innovative solutions in horticultural production including fruit growing. Fruit trees phenophases are heavily affected by the annual change of local weather conditions and in order to adapt and take economically efficient decisions, long term observations and studies are required. To avoid possible losses, is necessary to provide useful information to farmers. Modern breeding programs have introduced many cultivars with different chilling requirements, different tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and the correct decision on choosing the right one for a certain zone is challenging. The present study presents the flowering and fruit setting BBCH stages for more than 20 new apricot cultivars, grown in an integrated orchard in Bucharest Area. The apricot orchard was planted in 2017 using new cultivars grafted on Myrobalan 29C and Saint Julien A at 3.5 x 2.0 m and, Parallel U and Trident canopies were formed. The land was maintained covered with a mixture of perennial grasses on the interrow and clean with herbicide on the row. For each cultivar regular observations to identify the BBCH growth stage were made. Correlation with climatic factors was made, calculating the sum of active temperatures needed for each phenophase.