Spring Frost Protection in Apricot: Misting Delays Bloom and Sustains Yield more Effectively than Each of Ethephon, Gibberellin, and Kaolin
Agricultural Research, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s40003-026-01035-w
- Dergi Adı: Agricultural Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Bud phenology, Dormancy regulation, Heat accumulation, Phenological delay, Prunus armeniaca
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Spring frosts during flowering are a major constraint to apricot production, causing significant yield losses. This study evaluated different frost protection treatments-evaporative cooling (misting), ethephon (ETH), gibberellic acid (GA), and kaolin-in delaying phenology, reducing frost damage, and sustaining yield and fruit quality in ‘Hacıhaliloğlu’, a leading Turkish drying cultivar. The experiment spanned two production cycles (2016–2017 and 2018–2019), with data collected in 2017 and 2019 under experimental orchard conditions at the Apricot Research Institute, Malatya, Türkiye. ETH (100–400 ppm) and GA₄+₇ + GA₃ (50 + 25 to 200 + 100 ppm) were applied in autumn; kaolin was sprayed in early spring; misting was applied daily pre-bloom to lower bud temperature. Misting was the most effective treatment, delaying flowering by 9–11 days and maintaining high yields under severe spring frost in 2019. ETH also delayed bloom but caused gummosis and yield loss at higher doses; GA produced only minor delays. Kaolin slightly reduced bud temperature (0.3–1.3 °C) and enhanced firmness but reduced soluble solids content (SSC). Targeted misting during ecodormancy offers practical and effective frost protection, and its integration into orchard management could enhance climate resilience in frost-prone apricot production.