Research from Cornell AgriTech highlights how rising global temperatures are impacting grape yields. Warmer average temperatures in autumn and "false" springs are disrupting the signals grapevines need to blossom effectively, raising concerns for grape growers and winemakers in New York. Jason Londo, associate professor at Cornell AgriTech, noted, "In New York, we are right at the coldest edge that grapevines can tolerate, so as things get warmer, it's great for the middle of winter, but it's not great for the spring and fall, because it messes with the signaling grapes need."
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, included 31 grape varieties over three years. Researchers aimed to understand which external signals and genetic pathways inform grapevines about bud development for spring. They found wild grape varieties adapted to Northern winters were most vulnerable to late frosts due to their quick bud development. Commercial hybrids with these wild varieties showed similar vulnerability.
Londo added, "And this is kind of scary because for decades we've been breeding and planting grapes for deep midwinter hardiness, which brings along with it this trait of waking up early. But now our winters are getting warmer and more erratic, so those cultivars are more at risk for late frost damage."
This research is crucial as the climate crisis affects food supply, impacting farms and increasing grocery costs. Understanding these changes can inform new farming practices and encourage pollution reduction reforms.
Source: TCD