Riccardo Liguori The Flanders Center of Postharvest Technology is studying the effect of climate change on pear cultivation. Initial results show minimal impact on fruit quality, but highlight changes in the ecosystem
In easternmost Flanders lies the Belgian region of Limburg, renowned for its pear production. However, one of these orchards stands out, its claim to fame having little to do with the fruits: twelve transparent domes, topped with mirrors, house a very unusual scientific experiment. Inside the domes, “pears of the future” are being cultivated in artificially reproduced weather conditions forecast for 2040.
The harvest of these “future pears” is under study at the Flanders Centre of Postharvest Technology, where researchers are in various stages of analyzing size, texture, and content of the fruit. These are being compared to those grown outside the domes under natural conditions.
Simulating the future to protect the present
This scientific experiment aims to understand how the climate crisis will continue to affect pear production in Europe. “We expect more heat waves, less consistent rainfall-so, more droughts and floods-and generally higher temperatures,” explained Francois Rineau, Associate Professor at Hasselt University, in an interview with Reuters. He described the climate recreated inside the domes to reflect these future challenges.
Initial findings
The first results of the 2023 harvest give the following view that might be interpreted as a belief that Belgian pears probably get away with the worst caprices of climate change. “The influence of the 2040 climate crisis on pear quality remains limited,” remarked Rineau. Yet, in current conditions, a dramatic turn in the ecosystem, such as an earlier start of the vegetation season, appears to be related to increased CO2 consumption by the environment.
The three-year experiment is aimed at raising our knowledge of the impact of climate change on pear production. Every year, the weather is different to make a more precise prediction of the longer-term effects after one year of data. “When the temperature in the surrounding area is higher, pears are softer and sweeter“, said VCBT researcher Dorien Vanhees. This is disturbing news for growers, as softer fruit has a short shelf life and will cut down on the amount of pears that can be sold.
Over the past years, growers of European pears have already had to face their share of flooding, hailstorms, and drought. Climate change is already showing its face in changing patterns of growing, as was shown by the 27% decrease in production in Belgium this year alone, partly due to early blossoming followed by late frosts.
