Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3.2.16 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON FROST SUSCEPTIBILITY
Climate change will lead to earlier growth and therefore to greater sus-
ceptibility to, and damage from, late spring frosts (Fig. 3.7). Increases in
winter temperatures, anticipated in all scenarios, will result in a very sub-
stantial increase in the number of days with temperatures above freezing,
and above 5 °C, thus extending and advancing the growing season. The
concern expressed is that such early onset of growth as a result of climate
change may increase the risk of frost damage to plants. Although the in-
cidence of spring frost damage to precocious growth is not expected to
increase with climate change, there is some indication that autumn frosts
may become more damaging. Reduced or delayed hardening of plants in
the autumn combined with reduced cloud cover and an increased diurnal
temperature range could lead to increased damage. Frost damage can also
occur during the dormant period, so the ability of plants to withstand win-
ter frosts may also be affected by climatic warming.
FIGURE 3.7
Frost injury in Walnut.
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