2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Accumulation of adequate chilling hours in peach trees is essential for timing and promoting flower and vegetative bud growth. Reduced chilling leads to a prolonged and often later flowering period, and delayed vegetative growth. Developing a system to increase chill hour accumulation in subtropical regions would allow the expansion and sustainability of the peach producing industry. Tall windbreaks may delay the increase in canopy air temperature after sunrise by creating a shaded environment, for several additional hours per day. A large commercial peach orchard located in St. Lucie County, FL was chosen for the study. The orchard has established windbreaks of Eucalyptus ranging in the height of 40-50ft. on the East and West borders, and all rows are oriented North-South. 20 dataloggers measuring temperature and relative humidity were placed in the middle of the peach canopy on selected trees, with 8 located in the two rows next to the East windbreak, 8 in the two rows next to the West windbreak, and 4 control rows in the middle of the orchard. Data were analyzed for the period of 17 Nov, 2018 through 24 Jan, 2019, the results will be presented and discussed.