Estimated Yield Potential for KY’s Freeze Damaged Wheat

Carrie Knott, Extension Agronomist-Princeton, University of Kentucky
Bill Bruening, Small Grain Variety Testing, University of Kentucky
Dave Van Sanford, Wheat Breeding and Genetics, University of Kentucky
Lloyd Murdock, Emeritus Extension Soil Specialist, University of Kentucky

After several nights with temperatures near or below 24°F the jointed stems of KY’s wheat crop are probably terminated by cold temperatures. We now have to decide what to do with our freeze damaged wheat crop.

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.