Orchards Not So Chill with Warmer Winters – HortiBonn contribution to article in Kneedeep Times

The article discusses how rising temperatures are disrupting the chilling requirements of fruit trees, particularly in regions where winters are becoming milder. As a result, fruit trees are experiencing inadequate chill exposure, leading to delayed or irregular blooming, reduced fruit set, and overall lower productivity. HortiBonn leader Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling contributed some insights to this article, which was partly based on his earlier work at UC Davis in California. As frequent visitors to our website surely know, one of our major fields of research is exploration of climate change impacts on temperate tree crops. As we navigate the challenges posed by climate change, it is crucial to stay informed and proactive in implementing adaptive measures. Through collaborative research efforts and innovative approaches, we can work towards ensuring the resilience and sustainability of orchards in a changing climate. To read the full article and explore Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling’s contributions, please visit https://www.kneedeeptimes.org/orchards-not-so-chill-with-warmer-winters/ Stay tuned for more updates and insights from our working group as we continue to address critical issues in horticultural sciences and climate change adaptation.

Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling
Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling
Head of Department

I’ve been leading the HortiBonn group since 2018. We work on horticulture, decision analysis, fruit tree dormancy, climate change, agricultural development agricultural systems modeling and possibly other topics.