Climate change is causing many fruit trees to flower earlier, increasing their exposure to damaging late spring frosts. A study led by the University of Göttingen shows that the plant growth regulator ethephon can delay flowering in Kordia, a sweet cherry variety, potentially protecting blossoms and developing fruitlets from frost. The treatment did not significantly delay flowering in a second sweet cherry variety or two apple varieties, highlighting the importance of crop and cultivar selection. The results are published in BMC Plant Biology.
Delaying cherry blossom to reduce frost damage
