Washington State University leads research on climate impact on apples and pears

 The project, led by Lee Kalcsits, associate professor and Endowed Chair of Environmental Physiology for Tree Fruit, involves a collaboration of 21 scientists across seven institutions. The focus is on developing strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions on pome fruits and to devise methods that will minimize future risks.

The research, supported by a $6.75 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Specialty Crop Research Initiative, will span four years. Key areas of study include the resilience of new apple and pear cultivars to extreme cold and heat, the timing of flowering and dormancy emergence in spring, and techniques to prevent sunburn while enhancing fruit color during periods of intense heat. Kalcsits notes the variability of climate challenges across regions, with Washington state experiencing unusual losses due to cold in recent years, contrasting with the eastern U.S.'s higher susceptibility to cold damage.

The project also integrates economic analysis, with a team including a climate change economist, to evaluate the current and historical impacts of extreme temperatures on apple and pear crops. This aspect of the research aims to develop models for more accurately assessing risks and determining the cost-effectiveness of various mitigation strategies.

A nationwide Extension strategy forms part of the project's objectives, with plans to organize field days and fruit schools, both online and in-person, to equip growers with knowledge and techniques to reduce crop losses due to temperature extremes. Kalcsits emphasizes the need for new strategies to address not only current challenges but also the anticipated changes in exposure to extreme temperatures in the future. The ultimate goal of the project is to ensure a stable supply of apples and pears for consumers by enhancing the industry's resilience to climate variability.