Don’t let frost bite your crops this winter

Crops like grapes and peaches are among the most impacted by frost, which can lead to physiological stress and a reduction in plant development. The application of amino acid-based solutions is a first-string approach to mitigating damage caused by dropping temperatures and frost. 

In the town of Farroupilha (in the state of Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil, peach and grape farmer Fabiano Anselmi uses Alltech Crop Science solutions and observed improved crop development.

"The physiological stress was greatly reduced,” said Anselmi. “The plants’ color improved, becoming greener.”

According to agronomist Marcos Revoredo, an Alltech Crop Science technical manager specializing in fruits and vegetables, "When amino acids are supplied to the plant, they promote an activation or an acceleration of the plant’s metabolism. Consequently, there is an increase in the internal temperature of the cellular content and of the freezing point. Thus, it is possible to minimize the impacts of low temperatures and frost.”

However, applications should be performed preventively.

“It is important that the plants are treated weekly during the winter period, before the temperature drops,” said Revoredo.  

The amino acids can be complexed with nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and boron to enhance the results.

Additionally, management practices such as using a plastic cover to avoid abrupt drops in temperature, nocturnal irrigation and other field measures can make the environment more favorable for helping the crops overcome winter challenges.

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