Relationship of Electrical Conductance at Two Frequencies to Cold Injury and Acclimation in Cornus stolonifera Michx.

Abstract

The ratio of electrical conductance measured at two frequencies can be used to predict the cold hardiness of stem sections of Cornus stolonifera Michx. during the first stage of cold acclimation. Electrical conductance at 50 hertz divided by electrical conductance at 100 kilohertz gave a better estimate of hardiness than measurements at either frequency alone. The observed increase in the electrical conductance ratio as hardiness increased is consistent with an increase in membrane permeability. After plants were exposed to nonlethal frost, hardiness increased rapidly, and the relation between the conductance ratio and hardiness changed. This change indicates that ice crystallization induces a significant physiological alteration in the plants. Contrary to expectations, stem sections exposed to lethal temperatures could not consistently be separated from sections exposed to nonlethal temperatures by electrical conductance ratio measurements made immediately after thawing.