UNUSUAL FROST INJURY TO WINTER SOWN WHEAT AND BARLEY.

This article examines the unusual frost injury to winter-sown wheat and barley in Aberdeen, Scotland. Extensive damage was noted to winter wheat and winter barley plants in experimental plots in Woodlands field. The primary shoots were lying on the surface soil, being completely severed from the plant. It is suggested that the cause of the damage was the substantial drop in surface temperature immediately following the appearance of the primary shoots. The frost lift which occurred at this young stage of growth was responsible for breaking the primary shoot within the basal sheath. Subsequent thawing out deposited the broken shoots on the soil surface and damage remained unnoticed until snow cover completely disappeared.