Modelling fruit temperature dynamics in apple

Although fruit temperature is known to be a key parameter involved in fruit quality, sunburn injury and pest development, no specific modelling approach to it has been developed. Saudreau et al. generate a model based on three-dimensional virtual representation of apple trees (Malus domestica) linked with a physical-based fruit-temperature dynamical model. The model is able to simulate temperature dynamics at both the scale of fruit-temperature gradients and within-tree-crown variability in fruit temperature, and offers opportunities for modelling effects of within-crown architecture on fruit thermal responses in horticultural studies.