Frost severity, frost duration, and frost protectants affect tall fescue seed production

Abstract

Two air frosts (‐1 and ‐2°C) were applied to ‘Grasslands Roa’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) seed heads before anthesis for either 1 or 3 h, once or twice within one week. The ‐2°C frost reduced seed yield by 18% and mean seed weight by 5% compared to ‐1°C. Frosts lasting 3 h were more severe than frosts lasting 1 h, and two frost exposures in one week were more damaging than one exposure. A frost protectant, an ethylene oxide condensate (Teric™), prevented frost damage, particularly after frosts of 3 h when seed heads sprayed with Teric had significantly greater seed yields (22%) and one‐thousand‐seed‐weight (6.6%) than unprotected seed heads.

Keywords:

• ‘Grasslands Roa’ tall fescue
• Festuca arundinacea Schreb.
• frost
• frost protectants
• frost injury
• germination
• seed yield
• seed weight