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Variety traits

Frost hardiness

Frost hardiness is the genetically determined ability of a plant to withstand exposure to sub-zero temperatures without tissue damage. This indicator reflects the critical temperature threshold beyond which the plant dies.

Mentioned in descriptions 11 978 varieties reference book.

Frost hardiness represents the ability of a plant organism to resist the impact of low sub-zero temperatures. It determines the critical threshold above which plant tissues undergo irreversible damage or death. Unlike overall winter hardiness, which also accounts for damping-off and the effects of thaws, frost hardiness focuses specifically on the cellular response to cold exposure.

This trait is genetically determined; however, its expression depends on the physiological state of the plant and the dynamics of external conditions. Frost hardiness is not a constant value: it increases during the period of deep winter dormancy and gradually decreases towards spring, as the plant loses its ability to resist cold due to dehardening.

The evaluation of frost hardiness during variety testing is conducted through laboratory freezing in controlled conditions or through long-term field observations of crop survival. For variety comparison, scoring scales, percentage of survival, or the determination of minimum permissible temperatures in degrees Celsius are used. Maximum realization of the innate genetic potential for frost hardiness is ensured by optimal sowing dates and adequate phosphorus-potassium fertilization in the autumn.

Sources10

Breakdown by crop

Frost resistance of roses 263 Frost Resistance — Hydrangea macrophylla 162 Grapevine Cold Hardiness 152 Lily Frost Hardiness 106 Apple Frost Resistance 84 Grapevine Cold Hardiness 78 Clematis Frost Resistance 71 Tulip frost resistance 64 Peach frost hardiness 52 Frost resistance — soft wheat 44 Frost Hardiness of Rhododendron 36 Frost resistance of Heuchera 36 Frost resistance of common heather 30 Frost Hardiness of Zantedeschia 29 Pear frost resistance 24 Frost Hardiness of Sweet Cherry 24 Apple Frost Resistance 24 Gladiolus frost resistance 24 Cold hardiness of fig 24 Chrysanthemum Frost Resistance 21 Plum Frost Resistance 19 Apricot frost resistance 19 Frost resistance — garden strawberry 19 Blueberry frost resistance 18

Found in these crops

Grapevine 301 Rose 193 Lily 150 Common grape vine 142 Apple 119 Tulip 112 Bigleaf hydrangea 82 Clematis 66 Peach 63 Bread wheat 56 Azalea 44 Highbush blueberry 42

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.

Kiowa

Active

Rubus idaeus L. x Rubus subg. Eubatus Focke

2 records

P.J. Bergius

Active

Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. · Apple

1 record

ROYAL GALA 4

Active

Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. · Apple

1 record

Mission

Active

Ficus carica L. · Common fig

2 records

ROVADA

Active

Ribes L. · Currants

3 records

Nordland

Active

Ficus carica L. · Common fig

1 record

Rose

Terminated

Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus · Radish

1 record

Panacee

Active

Ficus carica L. · Common fig

1 record

Imtraga

Active

Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier · Garden strawberry

2 records

Houghton

Active

Ribes uva-crispa L. · Gooseberry

1 record

Hopa

Active

Malus Mill. · Apple

1 record

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