The Effects of Climate Changes on the Phenology of Some Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Cultivars

Climate change represents a significant challenge characterized by long-term increases in global temperatures, which subsequently alter plant phenology and growth cycles. Higher temperatures can advance the timing of flowering and fruiting in plants, potentially leading to earlier harvests. Extreme heat events can induce physiological stress in plants, adversely affecting fruit quality. Furthermore, severe weather phenomena, such as hail, can cause damage to plants, including those with higher resistance, such as chokeberry. This study aims to reveal the effects of global warming on Aronia growth by comparing two growing seasons (2024 and 2023). Phenological observations indicated that the start of the vegetative period and the growth stages occurred almost one month earlier in 2024 as compared to 2023, which determined that the harvesting of the fruits was much earlier than usual. The impact of climate change on plant systems is complex, affecting phenological stages, geographic distribution, ecological interactions, and vulnerability to pests and diseases.