How can continuous water sprinkling protect plants from freezing temperatures?

Continuous water sprinkling protects plants from freezing temperatures primarily through the release of latent heat of fusion. As water freezes on the surface of plant leaves, it undergoes a change of state from liquid to solid, a process that releases heat. This heat is absorbed by the plant tissues, which helps maintain the leaf temperature at approximately 32°F (0°C).123

Because the freezing point of plant cell sap is often slightly lower than 32°F due to the presence of sugars and other substances, this process can effectively prevent frost injury. To be successful, the sprinkling must be continuous; if the water application ceases while temperatures remain below freezing, the plant temperature will decline immediately, and the resulting ice formation may cause significant damage to the crop. Additionally, sprinkling creates water particles in the air that can help reduce outgoing radiation from the ground. This method requires significant skill and judgment from the operator to ensure the plants remain protected without causing harm.31