CHANGES IN SPRING PHENOLOGY IN APPLE TREE AND ITS RESISTANCE TO LATE FROST UNDER THE CLIMATE CONDITIONS OF STANESTI AREA, ARGES COUNTY, ROMANIA

Abstract

This paper aimed to analyze the variability of spring phenophases in the apple species, the ‘GoldRush’ cultivar to analyze the risk of spring frost for apple production in Stănești area of Argeș County (45°13′44″N, 24°50′9″E, altitude 540m), Romania, and the role of phenological acclimatization. The timing of phenological stages is made according to the definitions of the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, and CHemical industry (BBCH). Based on Julian day number, on average for 4 years, the phenophases occurred from the 85.54 day of year, marked by “beginning of leaf bud swelling/inflorescence bud swelling” (BBCH 01/51), until 1the 23.36 day of year for phenophase ''end of flowering'' (BBCH 69). Analyzing the data obtained, they allowed us to assess the temporal trends of development of budding and flowering phenophases and the trends of risks in the light of global warming. The research will be continued in order to analyze a longer period of time and to analyze different cultivars, in order to achieve sustainable and competitive fruit crops.