Cold Tolerance of Plants Used for Cold-Regions Revegetation
Abstract
Only a fraction of the world's plant species can tolerate freezing, and all exhibit various forms of damage after exposure to extreme cold. Some species, on exposure to low, nonfreezing temperatures, exhibit enhanced tolerance through a genetically determined process called cold hardening. Cold tolerance is attributed partly to the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins and lipids in cells, and to the proliferation of intracellular membranes. There are several methods of testing for cold tolerance. Plant nutritional status may increase or decrease cold tolerance. Several chemicals, among them a fungicide, have been found to reduce cold tolerance. Water stress improves cold tolerance. Research is needed in several areas to improve the success and lower the cost of revegetation projects. The genetics of cold tolerance is poorly understood. Research on cold tolerance with combined stresses is needed. Simulation analysis of plant growth in cold climates is important if carbon balance is to be understood. Applied research is needed in several areas: appropriate statistical descriptions of climate, remote sensing for terrain evaluation, analysis to determine plant and soil temperatures in relation to air temperature; complex revegetation strategies involving plant succession on disturbed lands. Cold-regions soil microbiology, important in plant success, is poorly known. A clearing house for information on plant cold tolerance and cold-regions revegetation would reap great reward for efficient reclamation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA229864
Entities
People
- Antonio J. Palazzo
- William H. Reid
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory