Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Marieta NESHEVA, Valentina BOZHKOVA
Frost injuries are one of the main limiting factors to fruit crops production. In the region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria the rising temperatures early in the spring force the development of flower buds and some fruit trees are often affected by the late spring frosts. Studying the cultivars under natural stress conditions provides a good basis for the selection of suitable ones for growing in each region. This study was conducted in plum and apricot collection orchards at the Fruit Growing Institute in Plovdiv. Spring frosts were observed in 2012, 2018 and 2019. In 2018, yields only from the apricot cultivars 'Goldrich’, 'Perle Cot’, 'Sweet Cot’ and 'Harcot’ were obtained. Of the 31 apricot samples examined in 2019, 21 were 100% injured and for 10, the damages ranged from 68% to 98%. In 2012, severe spring frost damages were observed for the plum cultivars 'Toptaste’ - 51%, 'Topking’ - 30% and 'Bellamira’ - 20%. In 2019, the plum cultivars 'Jojo’ and 'Pacific’ showed as highly sensitive to spring frosts. The lowest damages were recorded for 'Tita’ - 6%, followed by the standard 'Stanley’ - 12%.
[Read full article] [Citation]
