Freezing resistance varies within the growing season and with elevation in high-Andean species of central Chile

Sierra-Almeida, A; Cavieres, LA; Bravo, LA

Abstract

Predicted increases in the length of the growing season as a result of climate change may more frequently expose high-elevation plants to severe frosts. Understanding the ability of these species to resist frosts during the growing season is essential for predicting how species may respond to changes in temperature regimes. Here, we assessed the freezing resistance of 24 species from the central Chilean Andes by determining their low temperature damage (LT50), ice nucleation temperature (NT), freezing point (FP) and freezing resistance mechanism (i.e. avoidance or tolerance). The Andean species were found to resist frosts from -8.2 to -19.5°C during the growing season, and freezing tolerance was the most common resistance mechanism. Freezing resistance (LT50) varied within the growing season, decreasing towards the end of this period in most of the studied species. However, the FP showed the opposite trend. LT50 increased with elevation, whilst FP was lower in plants from lower elevations, especially late in the growing season. Andean species have the potential to withstand severe freezing conditions during the growing season, and the aridity of this high-elevation environment seems to play an important role in determining this high freezing resistance. © 2009 New Phytologist.

Más información

Título según WOS: Freezing resistance varies within the growing season and with elevation in high-Andean species of central Chile
Título según SCOPUS: Freezing resistance varies within the growing season and with elevation in high-Andean species of central Chile
Título de la Revista: NEW PHYTOLOGIST
Volumen: 182
Número: 2
Editorial: Wiley
Fecha de publicación: 2009
Página de inicio: 461
Página final: 469
Idioma: English
URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02756.x
DOI:

10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02756.x

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS