The winter cold is essential for perennials in cold areas, while deciduous plants avoid cold damage by going into winter dormancy. A certain amount of cold hours is necessary to put an end to this dormancy stage, so winters with warm days and not enough hours of cold lead to low fruit yields as a result of floral abortion and poor fruit setting, given the altered development of the floral buds, as well as an inadequate mobilization of reserve metabolites.
Agralia® is constantly searching for new and innovative technologies that can lead to better production management. This is why Agricooler® aims to help in the accumulation of cold hours by preventing daytime IR radiation from raising the temperature of the plants.
Methodology
A field of Agrícola El Carmelo, located in Buin, Metropolitan Region of Chile, was selected for this trial.
Treatments
Two treatments were applied, with 4 rows selected:
- T0: Unprotected cherry tree.
- T1: Cherry tree with Agricooler.
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Evaluations
Measurements were made with LOGtag temperature sensors.
Comparative temperature measurements were made to evaluate the accumulation of cold hours in T1 with Agricooler, with respect to T0, which is exposed and without cover.
Results
Temperature differences measured over the course of 30 hours, Agrícola El Carmelo.
Conclusions
There are clear differences in the temperatures when the heat rises, with low levels maintained with the use of Agricooler. This makes it essential for the accumulation of cold hours and their quality in hot climates such as that of central Chile.
Bibliography
Morales and Castro (2018) say that "the cold portions model is better fitted to the conditions of central Chile than other models, due to the fact that our summers are warmer. The cold that accumulates can be subtracted if cold hours are followed by warm hours. SAIA Project, CEAF (Center for Advanced Studies in Fruit Cultivation)."
For more information:
Agralia España
Plaza Urquinaona 6, 08080 Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 935 113 167
info@agraliagroup.com
Agralia Chile
Camino Sarmiento Curicó 201- Curicó, Región del Maule, Chile
Tel.: +56 950 491 806
infochile@agraliagroup.com
www.agraliagroup.com