Cold injury
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Cold Injury. Cole crops are fairly cold tolerant. Nearly all cole crops can tolerate temperatures below freezing, though vary in what temperatures will result in cold injury. Symptoms of cold injury can appear as a purpling of leaves. This results from the production of additional anthocyanins at low temperatures. In cauliflower, low temperatures can result in a browning or reddening of the curd. Cauliflower tends to be more sensitive to cold temperatures than other cole crops.
General cold injury on broccoli leaves
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)
General cold injury on cauliflower
(Photo: Ty Cato, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Growers should plant broccoli and cauliflower by early August in central Kentucky to avoid cold damage for fall-grown plants.
