Damage to wheat caused by frost

Although wheat’s growth stage or maturity is probably the most important, other stages can also be affected by the impact of frost on winter wheat.
The duration and severity of the frost event, the plant’s moisture content, elevation and topography, and a reduced upper vegetative layer can increase the susceptibility of winter wheat to low temperatures.
Additionally, some varieties may also be more susceptible to frost than others.

Damage During Crop Development

Winter wheat increasingly loses resistance to low temperatures after it begins rapid growth in spring and progresses towards maturity. Wheat is most sensitive to low temperatures during the reproductive period, which starts with pollination in the late boot stage. The temperatures required to cause damage throughout the life cycle of winter wheat are shown in the following figure.
Two-hour temperature exposures cause freeze injuries to winter wheat at various growth stages.
Both the temperature reached and the duration of the low temperature can be factored into the extent of damage inflicted. Longer durations of freezing temperatures will cause more damage than a brief exposure.

Symptoms

Local weather stations may not accurately represent the temperature levels for all surrounding areas. Suppose a producer suspects that damaging temperatures may have occurred. In that case, it is best to individually inspect fields, starting with low-lying areas, as cold air tends to flow to these areas.
Apart from a dark green colour or a “water-soaked” appearance of the foliage, symptoms may not appear for a week or more, depending on the growing conditions following the event. Warmer temperatures stimulate the decomposition of injured plant tissue and accelerate symptom development. Easily observed symptoms such as dead leaf tissue and white awns do not usually cause significant yield reductions.
However, they may be indicative of a more severe problem. A summary of the temperatures that cause injury, along with expected symptoms and the effect on grain yield, is shown in Table 1.

Growth StageApproximate Injurious Temperature (2 hours)Primary SymptomsYield effect
Tillering12°FLeaf chlorosis; burning of leaf tips; silage odor; blue cast to fieldsSlight to moderate
Jointing24°FDeath of growing point; leaf yellowing or burning; lesions, splitting, or bending of lower stem; odorModerate to severe
Boot28°FFloret sterility; head trapped in boot; damage to lower stem; leaf discoloration; odorModerate to severe
Heading30°FFloret sterility; white awns or white heads; damage to lower stem; leaf discolorationSevere
Flowering30°FFloret sterility; white awns or white heads; damage to lower stem; leaf discolorationSevere
Milk28°FWhite awns or white heads; damage to lower stem; leaf discoloration; shrunken, roughened, or discolored kernelsModerate to severe
Dough28°FShriveled, discolored kernels, poor germinationSlight to moderate

Early damage assessment can provide more management options if the damage appears severe, such as harvesting hay or replanting another crop, including corn, soybeans, or sorghum.
Producers need to evaluate an alternative crop’s production costs and expected yields before destroying damaged winter wheat and replanting.

Observations

  • In irrigated conditions, the cold symptomatology in wheat is minimal, making choosing cold-resistant varieties less crucial. 
  • In more restrictive environments, selecting appropriate varieties becomes more critical. 
  • There is an interaction between the genetics of the varieties and the availability of nitrogen, which can mitigate the effects of cold.
  •  Depending on the cultivation environment, the choice of variety and nitrogen management can be vital in alleviating the effects of cold.
  • Short-cycle varieties generally perform poorly in cold conditions.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the text highlights the importance of selecting varieties and agronomic management based on environmental conditions and specific challenges, such as cold and frost, to optimize the yield and resistance of wheat.

Consulted Sources

Low Temperature Effects on Winter Wheat: Jonathan Kleinjan, SDSU Extension Agronomist
Heladas y Trigo Reconocimieto y consecuencias. Información preparada por el Ing. Agr. Carlos Coma – RIAP/RIAN Oficina Bahía Blanca. EEA. INTA Bordenave. 

Other related topics

WhatsApp WhatsApp us

Thank you for your subscription.

We will keep you informed!

We will send you information about new additions to our product catalog by email.

If you have any questions about our products or would like to share your feedback, please don’t hesitate to write to us at Info@argselmash.com.ar.

Thank you once again!

Welcome to ARGSELMASH

Join our community and receive information about new products, offers, and special discounts, all directly in your inbox.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.

Being a part allows you the opportunity to request professional assistance for free for the repair or modification of your seeder. In addition, you will receive our news exclusive offers and discounts.

Contact

Inquire

Single disc opener for no-till farming - photo

Gracias por su suscripción.

Lo mantendremos informado

Le enviaremos por correo información sobre las nuevas incorporaciones a nuestro catálogo de productos.

Si tiene alguna consulta sobre nuestros productos o desea compartir sus comentarios, no dude en escribirnos a Info@argselmash.com.ar.

¡Muchas gracias de nuevo!

Thank you for your inquiry

Your request has been sent to the appropriate department.

We will send the response via email.
Keep an eye on your inbox; the response will arrive soon!
If you don’t receive the email, please check your SPAM folder.
For more detailed information, feel free to contact us at Info@argselmash.com.ar.

Gracias por su consulta.

Su solicitud ha sido enviada al área correspondiente.

Le enviaremos la respuesta por correo.
¡Esté atento a su bandeja de entrada, la respuesta llegará pronto!
Si no recibe el correo, por favor revise su carpeta de SPAM.
Para más información detallada, no dude en contactarnos en Info@argselmash.com.ar.