The cold temperatures this past weekend (April 7-8) have many wheat producers talking about the potential for freeze injury to the 2018 wheat crop. There are multiple factors that influence the risk of freeze injury in wheat. At any given location, factors such as growth stage of the crop, air temperature, minimum temperature, duration of these cold temperatures, as well as modifying variables such as soil temperature and snow cover all influence the risk of crop injury. The challenge is to integrate all these factors into a reasonable estimate of freeze injury.
Based on simple wheat growth models and observations from K-State Extension personnel, we know that the wheat growth stage around Kansas ranges from tillering in the northwest to second node in the southeast, with a few reports of early-sown fields approaching flag leaf emergence in the region (Figure 1). Most of the crop in central and western Kansas is either approaching or already at the jointing stages of growth. If the crop has not jointed yet, it generally withstands temperatures lower than 20 degrees F fairly well, especially if the growing point is still below ground. If the growing point is already above ground (first joint visible), wheat can sustain temperatures down to about 24 degrees F for a few hours. Minimum temperatures below 24 degrees F for extended periods of time increase the risk of crop injury. Information from the K-State Mesonet indicates that air temperatures dipped below this 24-degree F threshold for at least a few hours in most areas of the state. Many areas of the state experienced more than 10 hours with air temperatures below 24 degrees F. Some areas of northwest Kansas reported temperatures of 7 or 8 degrees F.
Fortunately, soil temperature and snow cover can help buffer the effect of the cold air temperatures. In this case, it appears the soil temperature, measured at 2 inches below the soil surface, did not drop below 40 degrees in most areas. This measurement is highly relevant at these early growth stages because the growing point of the wheat is very near the soil surface. The presence of snow can also help insulate the plants against the cold air temperatures and help retain the warmth of the soil near the growing points. Soil temperatures can be viewed via the Kansas Mesonet here: mesonet.ksu.edu/agriculture/soiltemp.
Based on these factors, we estimate that most areas of Kansas are at a low-to-moderate risk for freeze injury from the cold temperatures on April 7-8 (Figure 2). The risk of injury was moderate in the southeast portion of the state where the crop was the most advanced and snow cover was minimal. The risk transitions from low/moderate to low in the remainder of the state, mostly due to either greater snow cover, or due to the crop being at earlier stages of development in which the growing point is at or near the soil surface. An area of low/moderate risk covering much of central Kansas drops to low risk in parts of south central and southwestern regions where snow was most likely to reduce the risk of injury.
Growers around the state should expect to see symptoms of freeze injury on foliage over the next 10-14 days. In most cases, this injury should not result in any long-term damage to the crop. However, growers with fields at advanced growth stages should be checking for symptoms of freeze injury to the growing point and stems.
For detailed information on evaluating wheat for freeze damage, see the eUpdate article from Issue 683 on April 4, 2018, “Diagnosing freeze damage to wheat”.
Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Specialist
lollato@ksu.edu
Erick DeWolf, Extension Wheat Pathologist
dewolf1@ksu.edu
Chip Redmond, Kansas Mesonet Manager
christopherredmond@ksu.edu
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu