METHOD FOR ENHANCED SUPERCOOLING OF PLANTS TO PROVIDE FROST PROTECTION

摘要

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for enhancing supercooling of a plant to temperatures below about -2 DEG C, involving preventing the formation of ice crystals adjacent the plant by forming a substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane of particulate materials on portions of the plant capable of supporting droplets of water, the particulate material having a particle size distribution wherein up to about 90 % by weight of the particles have a particle size of about 100 mu m or less, and the substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane has a thickness from about 1 mu m to about 1,000 mu m.