Abstract
Apricot is especially sensitive to low temperatures during and after bud breaking, with late spring frost damaging blossoms and causing significant economic losses. The most effective method for preventing frost damage and yield losses is delaying apricot bloom. The present study investigated the effects of shading on the delay of flowering of the apricot cultivar Shalak grown in eastern Turkey. Shading was applied at rates of 35%, 70%, and 95% using polyethylene nets. The greatest delay was observed with 95% shading. While 76% of buds in the unshaded control treatment had reached ‘First Swelling’ by February 28, it was not until March 8 that 73% of buds in the 95% shade treatment reached ‘First Swelling’, representing a delay of 7-12 days. Buds in all 3 shade treatments reached the further developmental stages later than buds in the unshaded control treatment. The use of shading nets to delay blooming of apricot trees may be an effective method of preventing damage caused by late spring frost, especially in cool-temperate regions.