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Freeze Protection in European Pear 2008. Kitren Glozer Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis Rachel Elkins UCCE, Lake & Mendocino Counties. Flower buds and cold hardiness. Cold hardiness is reduced by low chill accumulation cycling warm and cold periods in dormant season
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Freeze Protection in European Pear 2008 Kitren Glozer Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis Rachel Elkins UCCE, Lake & Mendocino Counties
Flower buds and cold hardiness • Cold hardiness is reduced by • low chill accumulation • cycling warm and cold periods in dormant season • Delayed entry into dormancy • poor nutritional status • Buds ‘at risk’ have poor vascular connections, lower sink strength, low nutrient status and PGR production
3/26 4/6 4/7 Dates of Treatment = tight cluster & 10-20% bloom Killer Freeze Post PetalFall
Most promising results after April 20 freeze • ProGibb (GA3) + Promalin (GA4+7) with BlightBan @ early bloom • ProGibb + Promalin @ early bloom • BioForge (2% N from urea, 3% soluble potash K2O) – only timing tested was @ tight cluster • ProGibb + Promalin @ tight cluster • Most of crop was lost to late freeze • Return bloom and yields from 2008 treatments will be evaluated in 2009 • Trial will be repeated in 2009
Acknowledgements Our appreciation to our grower-cooperator and to the California Pear Advisory Board for ongoing support