CHR: An Integrated Software Tool for chilling requirements

Abstract Background Bud dormancy in deciduous fruit trees enables plants to survive cold weather. The buds adopt dormant state and resume growth after satisfying the chilling requirements. Chilling requirements play a key role in flowering time. So far, several chilling models, including ≤ 7.2 °C model, the 0–7.2 °C model, Utah model, and Dynamic Model, have been developed; however, it is still time-consuming to determine the chilling requirements employing any model. This calls for efficient tools that can analyze data. Results In this study, we developed novel software Chilling and Heat Requirement (CHR), by flexibly integrating data conversions, model selection, calculations, statistical analysis, and plotting. Conclusion CHR is a tool for chilling requirements estimation, which will be very useful to researchers. It is very simple, easy, and user-friendly.