THE HAILSTORM EFFECTS ON SOME APPLE CULTIVARS IN A FIELD TRIAL FROM FRUIT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STATION BISTRITA

The hailstorm damages occurring in the context of climate change are among the greatest threats to the production and quality of orchard fruits. As example, a large hailstorm (approximately 1.5-2 cm in diameter) occurred at the beginning of June 2024 caused significant damage to orchards in the Bistrița hills area. In this context, a study was conducted to elucidate the possibility of identifying apple cultivars that, through their particular characteristics, can mitigate the damage caused by hail. The effects of the hail was assessedthrough observations in a field trial established in 2021 at FRDS Bistrița which includes 33 cultivars and two hybrids. The study aimed to observe the sensitivity of apple cultivars to mechanical damage caused by hail on the fruits. Thus, a sample of 100 fruits was collected from each cultivar from the northern side of the tree (the side from which the hail hit). The extent of fruit damage was estimated according to the methodology applied in plant protection. According to the degree of damage, the apple cultivars were categorized into the following groups: cultivars with deep, closed lesions (Valery, Bistrițean, Dany, Gala Decarli Fendeca, Gala Ferplus, Florina, Luca, Cezar, Dacian, Idared, Red Topaz, Generos, Opal, and Redix) and cultivars with open lesions, pulp destroyed by more than 50% (Orion, Sirius, Golden clone B, Starkprim, Choupette, Gala Decarli Fendeca, Rebra, Crimson Crisp, Salva, Doina, Alex, Inedit, BN 1/1-98, Goldrush, Ifo 1/6, Goldprim, Luna, Rustic, Auriu de Bistrița, Ionaprim, and Ariwa). The data collected are useful not only for the microzoning of cultivars but also for apple breeding programs targeting the development of cultivars with fruit characteristics that can mitigate the effects of hail.