Modelling fruit-temperature dynamics within apple tree crowns using virtual plants.

Area of Science:

• Horticultural science
• Plant physiology
• Environmental modeling

Background:

• Fruit temperature is influenced by climate, tree structure, and fruit location, yet is rarely studied.
• Significant differences exist between fruit and air temperatures, especially in sunny conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a model for simulating fruit-temperature dynamics using climate data.
• To integrate 3D virtual tree representations with physical fruit-temperature models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-dimensional virtual representation of apple trees.
• Linked virtual trees with a physics-based fruit-temperature dynamical model.
• Validated the model by comparing its outputs with field measurements.

Main Results:

• The model successfully simulated fruit-scale temperature dynamics, including gradients and deviations from air temperature.
• It accurately captured within-tree-crown variability in fruit temperature.
• Achieved an average root mean square error of 1.43 °C over all simulated fruits.

Conclusions:

• Linking virtual plants with environmental modeling provides a robust framework for studying fruit temperature dynamics.
• The developed model can be used to analyze how tree architecture affects fruit thermal responses in horticulture.