Aqueous Foams for Frost Protection of Plants: Stability and Protective Properties

✍ Scribed by Boris Krasovitski; Eitan Kimmel; Michael Rozenfeld; Ilan Amir

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 229 KB
• Volume: 72
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8634
• DOI: 10.1006/jaer.1998.0361

✦ Synopsis

Efficient technology has been developed for aqueous foam protection of plants against radiative night cooling. Experimental and mathematical simulations together with field tests were carried out in a search of foaming solutions and methods of application of the foam layer that provide optimal protection. A new parameterinsulation endurance-was developed for evaluating the thermal protective properties of unstable insulation materials such as aqueous foam. This parameter combines properties that are the most important for successful protection of plants-heat resistivity and stability. Based on this parameter, the experimental data were interpreted and used to choose the foaming solutions that provide sufficient protection of plants during a night of frost. Foams were studied when applied in various configurations, directly over soil surface and spread over a mesh which covers the plants.