Some of the most productive apple regions in America are facing big challenges from a changing climate, according to a Washington State University study.
Some of the most productive apple regions in America are facing big challenges from a changing climate, according to a Washington State University study.
Researchers analyzed over 40 years of climate conditions that impact the growth cycle of apple trees from bud break and flowering through fruit development, maturation and color development.
While many growing areas are facing increased climate risks, the top three largest apple-producing counties in the U.S. were among the most impacted: Yakima in Washington, Kent in Michigan and Wayne in New York. In particular, Yakima County, the largest of the three with more than 48,800 acres of apple orchards, has seen harmful trends in five of the six metrics the researchers analyzed.
“We shouldn’t take the delicious apples we love to consume for granted,” said Deepti Singh, a WSU climate scientist and the study’s corresponding author. “Changing climate conditions over multiple parts of the growth cycle pose potentially compounding threats to the production and quality of apples. Moving forward, it would be helpful to think about adaptations at different stages of apple growth that can minimize overall harmful impacts.”
Read more at Washington State University
Image: Sun damage is one risk apple growers face from a changing climate, particularly from more extreme heat days, when the maximum temperature is greater than 34 degrees C (93 F). (Credit: Bob Hubner, Washington State University)
