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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

The Use of High-resolution Infrared Thermography (HRIT) for the Study of Ice Nucleation and Ice Propagation in Plants
Published on: May 8, 2015
Factors affecting ice nucleation in plant tissues
E N Ashworth1, G A Davis, J A Anderson
1United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430.
Plant tissue sample size significantly impacts ice nucleation temperature, affecting freezing behavior predictions. Multiple factors like bacteria and leaf wetness further complicate forecasting plant freezing in the field.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Ice nucleation temperature is critical for understanding plant freezing tolerance.
- Accurate prediction of plant freezing behavior is essential for agriculture and ecology.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated the factors influencing plant ice nucleation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors affecting the ice nucleation temperature of plants and plant tissues.
- To determine the reliability of small tissue samples in predicting whole plant freezing behavior.
- To identify key environmental and biological factors influencing plant ice nucleation.
Main Methods:
- Examined ice nucleation temperature across various plant species (bean, corn, cotton, soybean) and soil samples.
- Assessed the impact of sample mass on nucleation temperature using laboratory and field experiments.
- Investigated the influence of subzero exposure duration, ice nucleation active bacteria, and leaf wetness.
Main Results:
- Sample mass significantly affected ice nucleation temperature; small tissues were poor predictors of intact plant behavior.
- The observed effect of sample mass was also present in autoclaved and control soil samples.
- Plant ice nucleation temperatures were influenced by subzero exposure, bacteria presence, and leaf wetness.
Conclusions:
- Predicting plant freezing behavior in the field is complex due to numerous influencing factors.
- Small plant tissue samples are not reliable for determining the ice nucleation temperature of intact plants.
- Further research is needed to develop comprehensive models for plant freezing behavior prediction.
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