Seasonal Climate Variability and Management of Perennial Fruit Crops
Chilling is a measure of the time plants need to spend at cool temperatures so that they can resume normal growth in the spring. In the Southeast:
El Niño conditions often result in cool early winters, promoting the most rapid and reliable accumulation of chilling.
During La Niña events, the winter tends to be milder and chilling may be delayed or not occur.
Neutral conditions are more variable, with less chilling than El Niño but a greater risk of damaging freezes.
A climate forecast lets growers know what type of season to expect. Depending on the crop being grown, climate information may be helpful to:
- Manage irrigation
- Time activities like pruning, fertilization, application of oils and other sprays
- Plan for labor needs
- Manage marketing of harvests