The research project entitled 'Improving two-phase phenology models to forecast bloom in sweet cherry trees under future climate scenarios' was awarded to Professor Eduardo Fernández from the School of Agronomy at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Fernández, a professor at the same institution, will be in charge of the study that aims to understand how climate change has affected the flowering date of deciduous trees over the decades.
The research, aimed at finding a way to identify the flowering date of cherry trees in the face of the potential impacts of climate change, is a key objective for academics at the PUCV School of Agronomy. Fernández emphasised the importance of predicting this event and anticipating future temperature changes.
The lecturer explained that deciduous fruit trees, such as the cherry tree, spend the winter period without leaves, and knowledge of the flowering date is crucial for the cherry industry. This information allows fruit growers to plan activities such as foliage application, pollination, and dates for hiring personnel for harvesting.
Fernández highlighted how climate change has affected the flowering date of deciduous trees over the decades, motivating the need to understand and predict these changes in order to adapt agricultural practices. He emphasised that the choice of the cherry tree for the study was not accidental, considering that it is one of the most cultivated species in the country in terms of temperate climate fruit trees.
Read the full article: Redagrícola
10 Jun 2025
In Moldova, research on cherry trees shows how growth regulators and anti-frost products improve cold tolerance and fruit yields. The use of paclobutrazol and Cropaid NPA enhanced flowering, vegetative growth, and productivity in varieties like Lapins and Skeena.
11 Apr 2025
From snowy Montana comes the new “FE” cherry, cold-hardy to -45°C and ideal for pies, wine, preserves, and fresh eating. Backed by 60 years of family-driven selection, it’s now available from HoneyberryUSA, a leader in American cold-hardy fruit farming.
05 Aug 2026
A study on ‘Meizao’ sweet cherries shows that foliar 5-ALA at 100 mg/L increases fruit weight, color, sugars, nutraceutical compounds and aroma complexity by improving photosynthetic efficiency and stimulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in the fruit itself.
05 Aug 2026
A 12.5% US tariff on Chilean cherries is squeezing margins and slowing diversification beyond China. Exporters are responding through bilateral talks, more efficient logistics, premium-grade fruit and faster growth in Vietnam, India, Indonesia and South Korea in 2026.
