Climate change and viability of fruit tree orchards in arid area

Abstract

The Mediterranean region is facing temperature increases due to climate change. More warm conditions across the fruit and nut growing regions are expected to have a great and negative impact in Tunisian arid regions. Chilling trends among the agricultural production areas and their incidence on flowering and fruiting of typical fruit species were investigated. The results showed important declines in winter chill accumulation over the main arid production areas. This lack of chill jeopardizing the flowering and fruiting of fruit species. However, fruit species and cultivars within each fruit species expressed different flowering and fruiting behaviors to warm climate depending on their chilling and heat requirements. Consequently, thermal requirements are a key factor for sustainable fruit trees’ orchards and to select suitable cultivation area. Adoption of appropriate genetic resources could be used to mitigate the harmful effect of global warming in arid regions.