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Frost
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Normal (top) and frost damaged seed.
Frost during flowering and podding can cause significant yield loss and damage to the grain. During flowering plants will drop flowers and abort setting pods after a frost. During pod filling frost can damage the seed coat and the kernel.
Sowing later or using later maturing varieties will help reduce the risk of frost. Rolling or claying sandy surface soils will reduce the severity of frost. Sowing in a north-south direction might reduce frost risk, as would sowing downhill to channel cold air. Avoid sowing in areas particularly prone to severe frost damage.
Seed coats are generally finely wrinkled, may closely adhere to the kernel and show discolouration. Seed coats vary in colour depending on the extent of damage, but are usually darker in colour. Frost on immature grain causes small and thin grains with poor colour, while frost on well developed grains does not affect grain size, but causes poor colour. Frosted grain might also be classified as wrinkled or shrivelled grain.
M Materne, VDPI