A metabolomics study of ascorbic acid-induced in situ freezing tolerance in spinach ( L.).

Freeze-thaw stress is one of the major environmental constraints that limit plant growth and reduce productivity and quality. Plants exhibit a variety of cellular dysfunctions following freeze-thaw stress, including accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This means that enhancement of antioxidant capacity by exogenous application of antioxidants could potentially be one of the strategies for improving freezing tolerance (FT) of plants.