K-State Research and Extension

Freeze Damage to Wheat

 

Find the latest temperatures from K-State Weather Stations here!

 

Cold Temperature Reports

 

Check out the complete 'Wheat Freeze Damage' publication (PDF)

Temperatures that can cause freeze injury to wheat at spring growth stages.

Growth Stage	Approximate Primary Symptoms		Yield Effect
	Injurious Temp (two hours)
Tillering	12 F	Leaf Chlorosis; Burning of leaf tips; Silage Odor; Blue cast to fields	Slight to Moderate
Jointing	24 F	Death of growing point; Leaf yellowing or burning; Lesions, splitting, or bending of lower stem; Odor	Moderate to Severe
Boot	28 F	Floret sterility; Spike trapped in boot; Damage to lower stem; Leaf discoloration; Odor	Moderate to Severe
Heading	30 F	Floret sterility; while awns or while spikes; Damage to lower stem; Leaf discoloration	Severe
Flowering	30 F	Floret sterility; while awns or while spikes; Damage to lower stem; Leaf discoloration	Severe
Milk	28 F	White awns or white spikes; Damage to lower stems; Leaf discoloration; Shrunken, roughened, or discolored kernels	Moderate to Severe
Dough	28 F	Shriveled, discolored kernels; Poor germination	Slight to Moderate

 

Watch the video! (4-15-13)

This shows the cosmetic damage to wheat after 24 hours of below 20 degree temperatures.

  

This is wheat on March 17, 2016. The wheat is not yet jointed because the growing point is still
below the soil surface. The soil is helping protect it from cold air temperatures. The official stage of
this wheat is Feekes 5, the leaf sheaths are strongly erect.