Frost and plant physiology: Q&A with Glenn McDonald

摘要

How does frost damage plants? When the temperature drops below freezing and there is moisture on the surface of plants, ice will form. Ice crystals on the plant's surface grow through cracks in its outer layers or through the pores (stomata) in the leaves and stems, which causes ice to form inside the plant. Once water starts to freeze within plant tissue, it moves rapidly through the plant as an 'ice front' as long as there is continuous water and no internal barriers. By