Abstract
A controlled freezing technique was used to determine critical temperatures for developing buds on grapevines. Critical temperatures were estimated for Concord grapevine buds at defined stages of development under both wet and dry surface conditions. Tissue surface moisture strongly influenced freeze resistance. Hardiness was similar for developing Concord buds whether forced from dormant cuttings, taken directly from the field during spring development, or allowed to develop outdoors on whole potted vines. Pre-freeze temperatures had no apparent effect on the hardiness of developing buds. Freeze resistance of grapevine buds always decreased with advancing phenological development.
- Received December 1980.
- Revision received February 1981.
- Accepted February 1981.
- Published online January 1981
- Copyright 1981 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture