Phenology of Apple Cultivars with Different Chilling Requirements

Under mild climate conditions where chilling requirements are not met, the different phenological stages tend to extend and vary according to the year and chilling intensity. Knowledge on the phenological stages becomes important for the management of some cultural practices such as fruit thinning and phytosanitary treatments. The phenology of ‘Condesa’, ‘Imperatriz’, ‘Fred Hough’, ‘Gala’, ‘Fuji Suprema’ and ‘Baronesa’ apple cultivars with different chilling requirements was studied for a period of 20 years. The method employed made it possible to analyze the evolution of the different phenological stages, allowing the chronological determination of their development. The results suggest adaptability of the different cultivars in the same region, highlighting the influence of environmental factors. The duration of the different phenological stages varied according to the chilling requirements of each cultivar, being directly influenced by climatic factors.