Paul Heinemann's Research Frost Protection and Management Protecting crops from frost has been a focus of research at Penn State for many years. Recently, these efforts have emphasized use of computer control of irrigation to help reduce the amount of water used and yet still maintain adequate protection. Experiments have been conducted in both strawberry fields and apple orchards.
Results indicate that water use can be significantly reduced with computer monitoring and control.
In addition, an expert system to assist with the management of frost protection systems has been in development. The program helps to determine sprinkler rates, heating needs, alternative protection methodologies, etc. Refinement of irrigation for frost protection control in an apple orchard. Robert Crassweller, Terry Morrow, and Graduate Assistant Ali Bulent Koc are involved in this work. An artificial apple bud for frost temperature sensing.