THE CHALLENGE
The challenge of protecting deciduous fruit crops from spring frost lies in the lack of cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally sustainable solutions that align with both biological timing and unpredictable weather patterns. Traditional methods like frost fans, heaters, and sprinklers are not only expensive and energy-intensive but also offer inconsistent results across different orchard settings. While plant growth regulators (PGRs) show promise by potentially delaying flowering to avoid frost exposure, their commercial viability is hindered by technical hurdles—namely, the difficulty of precisely controlling application timing and dosage during the ecodormancy phase, when trees are highly sensitive to hormonal cues. For growers, the ideal solution must be simple to apply, compatible with existing practices, and capable of reliably shifting bloom times without compromising fruit yield or quality—striking a balance between scientific precision and practical feasibility in real-world agricultural operations.
OUR SOLUTION
We offer a breakthrough, science-driven yet grower-friendly method to protect deciduous fruit crops from damaging spring frosts by safely delaying flowering through targeted hormonal regulation. By using jasmonate inhibitors applied at specific stages of the tree’s dormant cycle ,we can shift bloom timing by 3 to 28 days, reducing exposure to frost without harming tree health or fruit quality. This method stands out for its cost-efficiency, ease of integration with current orchard practices (via foliar sprays or trunk injections), and sustainability compared to traditional approaches like frost fans or sprinklers. With proven field results in peach varieties and scalable application potential, this innovation presents a commercially viable and environmentally sound alternative for growers seeking reliable frost protection in a changing climate.
Figure: Effects of different concentrations of diethyldithiocarbamate (DIECA) application at 1000 GDH on the flowering time of ‘John Boy’ peach trees.
Advantages:
- Cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional frost protection methods
- Precise and reliable bloom delay through targeted jasmonate inhibition
- Flexible formulations and application methods across multiple fruit tree species
- Maintains tree health and fruit set while reducing frost risk
Potential Application:
- Frost-safe fruit production systems
- Bloom delay scheduling in deciduous crops
- Jasmonate inhibitor-based agrochemical development
