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Variety traits

Cold tolerance

Cold tolerance is a biological characteristic of a variety that determines its ability to develop and maintain productivity under prolonged exposure to low positive temperatures (from +1 to +10 °C).

Mentioned in descriptions 2 844 varieties reference book.

Cold tolerance represents the ability of an organism to maintain normal metabolism, protoplasm structure, and enzymatic activity under conditions where thermophilic crops begin to slow growth, yellow, and lose turgor. Unlike winter hardiness, this indicator does not imply the tolerance of sub-zero temperatures and freezing of tissues. In practice, a cold-tolerant variety allows for early sowing in unheated soil, reduces the risk of seedling death during spring cold snaps, contributes to the efficient use of winter moisture, and accelerates development, which often leads to earlier maturity.

Field and laboratory evaluation methods are used during variety testing. The field methodology includes phenological observations of growth rates during early sowing, visual assessment of survival after temperature stress, and structural analysis of the impact of conditions on yield components. In laboratory settings, a 'cold test' is used for seed germination in incubators at reduced temperatures followed by further growth, as well as biochemical analysis, such as determining the level of free proline in leaves.

Cold tolerance is expressed through a coefficient calculated as the ratio of performance in stress conditions to control conditions, or through percentage values of germination. Based on these data, varieties are divided into groups by resistance level. An important indicator is the temperature minimum at which crop growth ceases, which is about +4 °C for most plants and up to +10 °C for maize. Variety selection requires consideration of the biological characteristics of the crop, as this trait is critical for thermophilic plants at the early development stage.

Sources10

Breakdown by crop

Found in these crops

Varieties that feature this in their description

Selection based on the description text, not official resistance ratings: such data is not available in registers. Mention indicates that the trait is discussed in the variety's sources; see the variety's profile for details on what is specifically stated.

Cosaque

Terminated

Avena sativa L. · Oat

Serasem S.A.S.

FR
3 records

CT 12

Protection expired

Gossypium hirsutum L. · Upland cotton

Seed Source Inc.

GR
3 records

Carmen

Active

Vicia faba L. var. major Harz · Broad bean

SEMILLAS BATLLE, S.A.

ES
2 records

Candida

Terminated

Lolium perenne L. · Perennial ryegrass

DLF SEEDS A/S

NL
2 records

Boregar

Terminated

Lactuca sativa L. · Lettuce

Vilmorin-Mikado S.A.S.

FR
3 records

Braga

Active

Cucumis sativus L. · Cucumber

Bejo Zaden B.V.

NL
3 records

Beaujolaise

Terminated

Lactuca sativa L. · Lettuce

Domaine Public (FR)

FR
2 records

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck · Sweet orange

VICENTE BARBER PEREZ

ES
5 records

Zea mays L. subsp. mays (Maize Group) · Maize

FREIHERR VON MOREAU SAATZUCHT

NL
2 records

Baïkal

Terminated

Cucurbita pepo L. · Field pumpkin

Asgrow France SA (FR)

FR
2 records

Aurelius

Active

Zea mays L. · Maize

FREIHERR VON MOREAU SAATZUCHT

IT
2 records

Antalyo

Active

Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. westerwoldicum Wittm. · Westerwolds Ryegrass

Barenbrug Holland BV (NL)

FR
3 records

Ascea

Active

Solanum melongena L. · Eggplant

Enza Zaden Beheer B.V.

NL
2 records

Apollo

Terminated

Cucurbita pepo L. · Field pumpkin

PEOTEC S.R.L.

IT
2 records

Arbuznyi

Active

Solanum lycopersicum L. · Tomato

Domaine Public (FR)

FR
2 records

Antosna

Protection expired

Anthurium-Andreanum-Hybriden · Anthurium

Anthura B.V.

PL
2 records

TNHEUNEP

Active

Heuchera L. · Coral Flower

Janet N. Egger

2 records

Sancho

Active

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. · Tasmanian blue gum

Grupo Empresarial Ence S.A.

2 records

Eckace

Terminated

Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch · Poinsettia

Paul Ecke Ranch

2 records

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