TechNotes Feb. 5 - Frost, Soil Temperatures

TechNotes are provided by Syngenta GreenCast.

Frost Nights

Frost occurs under clear sky and windless nights. The formation of ice crystals on the leaf is dependent on the dew point, or frost point, which is the temperature that air must be cooled to cause atmospheric moisture to condense and freeze.

There are two types of frost. A white frost results when moisture freezes in small ice crystals on the leaf. During a black frost, few, if any, ice crystals form because the air is too dry.

Frost injury to turf is usually of minor damage. The leaves become brittle and if traffic is placed on the turf, the leaf blades are often crushed. As long as the crown of the plant is not damaged, or the other growing points (ex. rhizomes) new leaf blades will be generated once growth is initiated.

Soil Temperature Map