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Critical Temperature For Sub-Lethal Cold Injury Of Strawberry Leaves, Tiffany L. Maughan, Brent Black, Daniel Drost

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Freezing temperatures are a major limitation to strawberry production in temperate regions, and protected-cultivation strategies such as the use of tunnels and row covers are used to overcome this limitation. In order to optimize management under protected cultivation, it is necessary to understand the damage thresholds for strawberry plant tissues. The effects of freezing temperatures (−3, −5, and −7 °C) on leaf CO₂ assimilation were evaluated for ‘Chandler’, ‘Seascape’ and ‘Jewel’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Growth chambers were used to expose plants to freezing temperatures under carefully defined conditions. Net assimilation was then measured on the cold-exposed …