The nature of growing season frosts : a case study in Northern Illinois

Bibliography : pages 50-52.This study was motivated by the belief that radiation frosts are generally the last occurrences in spring and the first in fall. The type of first and last frost occurrences were determined for the northern Illinois area with the aid of a computer program. Data analysis included calculation of percentages and frequencies for all causes of frost. It was expected that radiation is the most common cause of first and last frosts of the season; however, results showed that it was not necessarily the case. Importance of the investigation lies in the fact that extending the growing season by some means of crop protection is more feasible with frosts of the radiation type. A mapping procedure helped present and interpret the results in a concise manner.M.S. (Master of Science