Printable Handout – Station 1 Strengthening Pear and Apple Resilience to Climate (SPARC)
Problem
Extreme heat and cold events that deviate from seasonal norms are increasing. These changes can result in major losses to apple and pear production.
Project Goals
- Evaluate temperature damage mitigation strategies
- Build models that allow for risk assessment and cultivar selection
- Characterize physiological and genetic mechanisms of cold and heat tolerance
- Identify temperature-related traits to be used in future scion and rootstock breeding
- Develop durable extension materials on heat and cold damage mitigation in pome fruit
Project Team
- Nationwide collaboration between seven institutions
Current Work at TFREC
- Testing heat and cold protective spray products
- Investigating genetic control and physiology of sunburn
Learn more about SPARC
Follow research updates and learn more about SPARC at the project website. You can scan the QR code below or access the website here.
Funding
USDA
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
Contact
Lee Kalcsits
lee.kalcsits@wsu.edu
