Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 21-25.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb15070055

Special Issue: 农业气象

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The Investigation of Ficus Freezing Injury and Recovery in Kunming in 2013

Zhang Yuan1, Li Zongbo2   

  1. (1Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224;2College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University/Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Kunming 650224)
  • Received:2015-07-09 Revised:2016-01-03 Accepted:2015-08-04 Online:2016-02-01 Published:2016-02-01

Abstract: To verify how the “once in a decade” long-lasting cold wave of December 2013 in Kunming affected the Ficus tree planted in the city, the freezing injury of 3 most common Ficus species, which were F.microcorpa, F.benjamina, and F. altissima, was investigated and analyzed. The severity of freezing injury was transformed into freezing injury index to perform statistical analysis, and a 2-year follow-up investigation was performed to trace the recovery of Ficus trees. The results revealed that, the micro-environment significantly influenced the freezing injury of Ficus trees, trees located near shades were less vulnerable to freezing injury, and the diameter of Ficus trees showed non-prominent association with freezing injury severity. After 2 years recovery, nearly all Ficus trees were gradually recovered. Our results demonstrated that, although Ficus trees might be injured by freezing, through subsequent care and recovery, basically they could all survive. Nevertheless, in rural area, especially open space, the freezing injury could be comparatively severe, thus in those districts, it should be cautious in choosing Ficus as roadside trees.