The Freezing of Water in Woody Tissues of Apricot and Peach and the Relationship to Freezing Injury1

Abstract
The freezing of water within the woody tissues of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) and peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] was characterized and the relationship to freezing injury established. Bark and xylem tissues exhibited contrasting freezing patterns and mechanisms of freezing resistance. Water in xylem parenchyma cells deep-supercooled. Tissue injury appeared to result from the freezing of this supercooled water. In contrast, water within bark tissues underwent equilibrium freezing. Bark injury resulted from the stresses which accompany extracellular ice formation and cellular dehydration.

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