The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso's School of Agronomy, led by Professor Eduardo Fernández, has embarked on a research initiative titled "Improvement of two-phase phenological models to predict cherry blossom in future climate scenarios". This Fondecyt 2024 funded project focuses on the effects of climate change on the phenology of deciduous trees, particularly cherry trees, over several decades. The study aims to refine methods for forecasting the impact of temperature shifts on cherry blossoms, a critical concern for the cherry tree sector. Understanding the timing of flowering is essential for optimizing the scheduling of foliar treatments, pollination activities, and the hiring of harvest labor.

Given the significance of cherry exports to the national economy, Chile stands to gain substantially from advancements in this field. The research team has established partnerships with around 40 orchards, consultants, and research facilities nationwide to ensure the project's findings directly support the Chilean cherry industry. The variability in bloom dates, driven by climate change, underscores the urgency of this work for agricultural strategizing.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com