Too many peaches across Georgian farms have been decimated, a rare event for the southern state that for so long has borne the name "Peach State." Last winter was unusually mild, causing peach blossoms to bloom early. But then in March, temperatures dropped below freezing, far too cold for the delicate buds. Just three days of frost was enough to kill off the entire crop. This year, around 90 percent of the peach harvest in the state has been lost, experts say. They warn that this will happen more often due to climate change.
Eventually, some types of peaches that need a cold winter "will not be able to be grown in Georgia at all," said Pam Knox, an agricultural climatologist at the University of Georgia. To help local producers, Dario Chavez, a horticulture professor specializing in peaches, is developing new hybrid varieties better adapted to mild winters. In his laboratory and in the University of Georgia's orchard, he can cross species chosen for their delicious taste, their good yield or their adaptation to warmer climates.
Source: zawya.com
