Abstract
(1) The need for a theory . Though many explanations of frost injury and resistance have been proposed, not one agrees with the known facts. A new hypothesis is needed to stimulate research along new paths. (2) The working hypothesis . Frost injury is due to an unfolding and therefore a denaturation of the protoplasmic proteins. This results from the formation of intermolecular SS† bonds induced by the close approach of the protein molecules due to frost dehydration. Frost resistance is a resistance towards SH oxidation and SH SS interchange and, therefore, to formation of these intermolecular SS bonds. (3) In support of the hypothesis . New biochemical knowledge and recent measurements of SH and SS contents in relation to frost injury and resistance support the hypothesis. (4) Usefulness of the hypothesis . All the accumulated information on frost injury and resistance can be explained by the hypothesis. It is also able to explain other kinds of injury, e.g. those due to drought, heat, pressure, etc.
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