Freezing Temperatures Overnight May Damage Winter Wheat at Advanced Growth Stages in KY

Figure 1. Wheat heads showing freeze
damage at heading (Feekes 10.5)

Carrie Knott, Extension Agronomist-Princeton, University of Kentucky

Last night temperatures dipped to or below 24°F for several hours at many locations throughout Kentucky (Table 1). For winter wheat that has reached the jointing (Feekes 6) growth stage, damage (Figure 1) can occur to the developing wheat head, which is above the soil surface at jointing, when temperatures are 24°F or below for at least 2 hours.