Freezing Injury in Horticultural Crops—Research Opportunities

Freezing injury is a major limiting factor in the production of horticultural crops. The effects of low temperatures vary and are noted as freezes to the Florida citrus crop; midwinter damage to deciduous fruit crops; frost damage to flowers, vegetables, and developing fruit; and limits to the range of perennial species. It is not the purpose of this paper to review the literature on freezing injury. Several recent books and review articles on the subject already exist (16, 17, 32–35, 50, 65). Instead, the purpose of this paper is to identify basic research areas and opportunities for horticulturists.