Frozen root and crown tissue below ground, however, often is the greatest factor in the weakening and loss of alfalfa plants. Firm, white taproot. Heaved alfalfa plants. It is difficult to predict cold damage because soil temperatures often are warmer than air temperatures. You cannot determine cold injury and stand condition in early spring without digging plants and assessing crown and taproot condition.
Healthy taproots are creamy, white, and firm in texture.
If the plants you dig have good taproots and there is still evidence of bud growth from the crown, then the plant may be recovering well, or more slowly than normal, but recovering. A taproot that is spongy in texture, or watery and beginning to take on a tan or yellowish color, is a bad sign. These plants are likely severely cold-injured and deteriorating. If you are seeing signs of this, check fields again in about a week to verify your first assessment. Stands that are recovering normally can be managed with normal harvest planning.