A study from Washington State University examines climate risks for apple production in the United States. Researchers focused on "Changing climate risks for high-value tree fruit production across the United States." A potential climate damage index (PCDI) was developed, synthesizing six key climate metrics: cold degree days, chill portions, last day of spring frost, growing degree days, extreme heat days, and warm nights.
The study analyzed 40 years of climate data, cross-referencing it with apple orchard production data in Yakima, Washington; Kent, Michigan; and Wayne, New York. Yakima County, with over 48,800 acres of apple orchards, showed adverse trends in five of the six metrics. Other regions experienced negative trends in at least three metrics.
The United States produces about 260 million bushels of apples annually, a major agricultural export. Climate-induced yield reductions could raise consumer costs. Deepti Singh, a climate scientist, stated, "We shouldn't take the delicious apples we love to consume for granted. Changing climate conditions over multiple parts of the growth cycle pose potentially compounding threats to the production and quality of apples."
Washington State University participates in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, funded with $75 million to explore adaptation strategies such as netting and evaporative cooling. Addressing climate change's root causes remains essential.
Source: TCD