Institut für Züchtungsforschung an Obst
Climate change poses considerable challenges for fruit production, particularly due to increasing heat events and water shortages during the growing season. These stress factors have been shown to result in substantial yield losses of up to 50% and an impairment of fruit quality. Furthermore, chronic water shortages have been demonstrated to weaken trees over time, given the reduction in nutrient uptake and autumn reserves. This, in turn, increases susceptibility to diseases and impairs the vitality of the plants for years to come.In light of these challenges, the Institute for Fruit Breeding Research at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) in Dresden-Pillnitz has undertaken research to investigate the drought stress tolerance of apple varieties. A central approach is the use of the innovative Fylloclip sensor, which enables high-resolution, tree-specific measurement of transpiration. This technology was successfully tested in a drought stress trial in 2024.As part of a multi-year project, the Fylloclip will be used to analyse apple varieties from the German Fruit Genebank and new varieties under different irrigation regimes. In consecutive annual pot trials, 48 apple varieties are grafted onto M9 rootstocks in six replicates and either optimised or reduced irrigation. In addition to measuring transpiration, wilt symptoms, chlorophyll content, leaf temperature, and proline content are analysed. Gene expression analyses are also planned.
Erzeugerorganisation Dresdener Obst e.G.
