Tolerance of different winter wheat cultivars to prolonged freezing injury at their critical temperatures

Abstract

Inconsistent survival during winter due to freezing injury of varying severity is a major impediment to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and productivity. To evaluate the tolerance of different winter wheat cultivars and different organs of the same cultivar to prolonged freezing injury, 3 yr of controlled freezing experiments were performed with four cultivars under different freezing durations at the cultivars’ corresponding critical temperatures. Experimental plants in plastic pots that have hardened in the field were moved to freezing chambers for controlled freezing treatments during the winter. A highly significant relationship was observed between freezing duration and morta..