Enhancing Fruit Production and Resilience Under Cold Climate Conditions

Fruit production in cold climate conditions faces increasing challenges as global climate change intensifies temperature fluctuations. Late spring frosts, early fall frosts, and winter injuries are among the most significant risks limiting productivity and profitability in these regions. Over recent decades, studies have explored the physiological, genetic, and technological aspects of cold tolerance in fruit trees, highlighting key differences in species and cultivar responses. Despite advances in orchard design, frost forecasting, and protective management practices, the complex interplay between plant physiology, local microclimates, and global climate variability remains insufficiently understood. Current research emphasizes the need to integrate innovative protection strategies with sustainable cultivation systems to ensure reliable fruit production in colder regions.This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of both passive and active cold protection methods and their influence on fruit tree physiology, growth, and productivity. It seeks to address fundamental questions concerning how fruit trees develop and maintain resilience to cold stress, what genetic traits confer enhanced tolerance, and how orchard management practices and technological innovations can mitigate abiotic stress under changing climatic conditions. Moreover, it aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and industry experts to share insights into optimizing fruit production while preserving ecological sustainability.This Research Topic covers research falling within the fields of plant physiology, genetics, agronomy, and environmental adaptation, with a particular focus on cold and temperate regions. To gather further insights in the sustainable production and adaptation of fruit crops to cold climate zones, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Physiological and genetic mechanisms underlying cold tolerance in fruit trees• Passive protection methods such as cultural practices, pruning systems, and soil management• Active protection mechanisms, including frost mitigation technologies and orchard heating systems• Development and evaluation of new cultivars suitable for low-temperature environments• Climate change impacts on dormancy, deacclimation timing, bud break, and growing degree days as predictors of frost risk in fruit crops• Controlled environment agriculture and smart technologies for fruit production under cold stressWe invite submissions including original research articles, case studies, theoretical analyses, methods, reviews, and perspectives exploring diverse aspects of fruit production in cold climates Topic editors: Alireza Rahemi, Toktam Taghavi, Aziz Ebrahimi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81100/enhancing-fruit-production-and-resilience-under-cold-climate-conditions