Emerging Research Advancements to Overcome the Peach Spring Frost

Abstract

The phenomena of global warming has led to an increase in the average air temperature in temperate climates. Springtime frost damage is becoming more common, and after a period of dormancy, damage to buds, blooms, and developing fruits is greater significant than damage from low winter temperatures. Peaches are a crucial crop among moderate fruits. Spring frost damage in peaches can have a negative effect on crop growth, yield, and quality. It is noteworthy that these plants have evolved defenses against spring frost damage while being exposed to a variety of low temperatures in the early spring. In this current review, recent research advancements on spring frost damage avoidance in peaches were deliberated. Additionally, adaptive mechanisms of peach, such as deacclimation and reacclimation, were emphasized. Moreover, the emerging advancements using various omics approaches revealed the peach physiology and molecular mechanisms comprehensively. Furthermore, the use of chemical products and understanding the spring frost mechanisms through the use of environmental chamber temperature stimulation and infrared thermography studies were also discussed. This review is essential groundwork and paves the way to derive and design future research for agronomists and horticulturalists to overcome the challenges of spring frost damage avoidance and crop management in these circumstances.

Physio-Biochemical Insights into the Cold Resistance Variations among Nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nectarina) Cultivars

“…In China, nectarine is mainly cultivated in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Hebei and Liaoning provinces, and the annual nectarine fruit output in these provinces accounted for approximately 70% of the total output in China. However, in these provinces (and especially in the high-altitude areas in Shanxi province), cold stresses occur frequently in the late winter and early spring (the key timepoint for the flower bud development) [23], thus influencing greatly the production and quality of nectarine fruits. Therefore, comprehensive cold resistance evaluation of nectarine germplasm resources, screening of cold resistant varieties and clarification of the underlying mechanism of cold resistance are of great importance for the healthy development of nectarine industry.…”