Chilling and Heat Accumulation of Fruit and Nut Trees and Flower Bud Vulnerability to Early Spring Low Temperatures in New Mexico: Meteorological Approach

Fruit and nut trees production is an important activity across the southwest United States this greatly impacted by local climate. Temperature main environmental factor influencing growth productivity of fruit as it affects trees’ physiology vulnerability flower bud, flowers, young to low temperatures or spring frost. The objective present study estimate chilling heat accumulation New Mexico. Three sites Fabian Garcia, Los Lunas, Farmington were considered climate variables collected at hourly time step. Utah model Dynamic used accumulated while Forcing was for accumulation. possible endodormancy ecodormancy periods also determined sites. results obtained hours 715 ± 86.60 h 729.53 41.71 828.95 83.73 using model. chill portions during 3.12 3.05 CP 42.23 5.08 56.14 1.84 Farmington. 8735.52 1650.91 GDH 7695.43 212.90 5984.69 2353.20 are no risk bud flowers Garcia they under high early temperature can still drop below 0 °C in April end blooming fruits nuts development stage Lunas Severe weather, especially frost conditions winter spring, be a significant threat sustainable northern Mexico requirement might not meet requirements southern