Freeze injury to strawberry plants as evaluated by crown tissue browning, regrowth and yield parameters

Abstract

The strawberry cvs `Bounty', `Korona' and `Senga Sengana' were frozen for 2 h at −8, −12, −16 or −20°C, at a freeze and thaw rate of 2°C/h. Growth and yield parameters and crown tissue browning were compared with plants stored at 0°C. At −8°C all the plants were severely injured and the fruit yields were reduced to 41, 60 and 66% of uninjured plants respectively for `Senga Sengana', `Bounty' and `Korona'. These yield reductions were reflected in reduced growth and increased crown tissue browning, and there were strong correlations between the different parameters recorded. It is concluded that the limit temperature for severe injury, for a single short term freezing, is between −8 and −12°C for `Bounty' and `Senga Sengana' and a little below −12°C for `Korona'. Plants frozen at −20°C died.