Transgenic cold-tolerant vines

摘要

On average Ontario vineyards are hit with a killer cold once every five years when temperatures plunge to a critical -25C and lower, causing primary bud damage and extensive winter kill especially to the most vulnerable vinifera grape varieties that make the best wine. It's critical because at -25C a trace amount of heat is given off by water in the bud as it undergoes a hard freeze. This exothermic reaction - giving off heat - often destroys the bud no matter how well it has hardened off going intothe winter.