Which of the following is a frost or freeze injury symptom?

• A. Water soaked foliage followed by wilted/collapsed foliage or stems.
• B. Uniform green, turgid leaves.
• C. Early summer yellowing of flowers.
• D. Normal growth with no damage.

Answer: (A)

Frost or freeze injury typically damages plant cells so they leak when thawed, leading to a water-soaked look in the affected foliage followed by wilting or even collapse of the tissue. This sequence—water-soaked appearance that progresses to wilted or collapsed leaves or stems—reflects the direct cell-damage and disrupted water balance caused by ice formation in the tissues.

Uniform green, turgid leaves suggest the tissue is not harmed by freezing, so that isn’t a frost damage sign. Early summer yellowing of flowers usually points to heat stress, drought, or nutrient issues rather than a frost event. Normal growth with no damage clearly indicates there was no frost injury.