Researchers at Washington State University are working on a project aimed at helping fruit growers mitigate the impact of frosts by providing more accurate information on air temperatures during cold nights.
By utilizing data from AgWeatherNet's Tier 1 stations, which record temperatures at both 1.5 meters and 9 meters above ground level, they have developed a model to estimate temperature inversions crucial for frost protection strategies. This information allows growers to assess the strength of inversions in their orchards and determine whether conditions are suitable for wind machines or additional heating.
The project also involves using drones equipped with thermal sensors to collect data on cold air movement through fruit orchards, aiding in the evaluation of wind machine effectiveness and the extension of their protection area.
The collaboration between researchers and farmers like Seth Hayden demonstrates the practical application of this technology, with Hayden integrating temperature sensors and automatic start systems into his wind machines for more efficient frost management.
Additionally, researchers have found that cherry buds tend to be several degrees cooler than the surrounding air during frost events until the dew point is reached, which slows down the cooling process. Understanding these temperature dynamics could lead to better predictions of lethal temperatures and improve frost management strategies.
Overall, the project aims to refine frost prediction models and provide growers with actionable data to optimize their frost protection measures, ultimately minimizing crop losses due to frost damage.
Read the full article: Good Fruit Grower
Images: Good Fruit Grower
17 Aug 2026
Chile’s cherry season is set to be challenging as rain, humidity and temperature shifts favor Botrytis, Alternaria and other pathogens. Check Fast Cherry enables rapid infection monitoring, helping growers protect fruit quality, yields, harvest and postharvest performance.
08 Jan 2024
The re-use of these by-products thus seems a better alternative to the disposal or annual incineration of millions of tonnes of cherry pits, which not only mitigates environmental pollution, but also adheres to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
11 Sep 2026
Artificial intelligence is transforming fruit growing in Chile: computer vision, machine learning and data help measure quality, yields and waste, reduce errors and improve decisions from the orchard to packing lines and export markets, including cherries and other fruit crops.
11 Sep 2026
In Apulia, HTS identified Pomes virus Greece (PVGR) in sweet cherry for the first time in Italy. The virus was detected in 8.7% of the samples analysed, while one case of Cherry green ring mottle virus also marks the first regional report of CGRMV in southern Italy.
