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New eco-friendly foliar spray provides natural anti-freeze

Date:
December 21, 2011
Source:
American Society for Horticultural Science
Summary:
A new, biodegradable foliar/floral spray that increases plant resistance to both cold damage and cold mortality has been introduced to the commercial market. The spray improved cold tolerance by approximately 2°F to 9°F, depending on the variety of plant and the duration/ intensity of frost or freeze. Use of the non-toxic spray could add the equivalent of approximately 0.25 to almost 1.0 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to the cold hardiness rating of plants.
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Cold-weather garden enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate. Researchers at The University of Alabama and Miami University of Ohio have introduced an innovative, all-natural foliar spray that protects plants, both externally and systemically, by enhancing their natural "anti-freeze" properties. According to the scientists, using the new product is like moving the planting location 200 miles south -- the equivalent of about one-half of a USDA hardiness zone.

A report published in HortTechnology premiered the novel topical spray developed to increase resistance to both cold damage and cold mortality in plant foliage, flowers, and fruits. According to David Francko, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of Biology at the University of Alabama, the patent-pending formula has been commercialized under the trade name FreezePruf.

The spray is composed of ingredients that are non-toxic to plants, humans, and animals. "The components of the laboratory spray formulation and FreezePruf are all either human food ingredients or used in the human food production chain," said Francko. He said that the spray actually improves plants' natural ability to tolerate freezing conditions.

The researchers tested the spray on a wide variety of foliage, flowers, and fruits. Data showed that both the laboratory formulation and the commercial version of the spray decreased the first damage temperature and the mortality temperature of the plants. "We noted beneficial effects within hours of application," Francko remarked. "Our results suggested that the spray formulation could add the equivalent of approximately 0.25 to almost 1.0 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to the cold hardiness rating of the plants used in the experiments."

According to the report, the spray is as friendly to plants as it is to the environment. "In all the experiments using the laboratory spray or the commercial product, we did not identify a single instance of treatment-related damage to foliage, flowers, or fruits," the scientists wrote.

"Based on effectiveness data and its non-toxic, ecofriendly formulation, our research suggests that FreezePruf can offer significant benefits to both residential and commercial users," Francko said.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society for Horticultural Science. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. David A. Francko, Kenneth G. Wilson, Qingshun Q. Li And Maria A. Equiza. A Topical Spray to Enhance Plant Resistance to Cold Injury and Mortality. HortTechnology, February 2011 vol. 21 no. 1 109-118

Cite This Page:

American Society for Horticultural Science. "New eco-friendly foliar spray provides natural anti-freeze." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 December 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214135814.htm>.
American Society for Horticultural Science. (2011, December 21). New eco-friendly foliar spray provides natural anti-freeze. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214135814.htm
American Society for Horticultural Science. "New eco-friendly foliar spray provides natural anti-freeze." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214135814.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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