Dormancy: A New Universal Terminology

Abstract

Attempts to discuss the various aspects of plant dormancy can be bewildering due to the excessive number of nonphysiological, independent terms that have arisen over the years. In the context of field observations and orchard management, this terminology has often been adequate. However, in the complex realm of scientific description of the processes that constitute dormancy, the terminology has not been able to keep pace with physiological investigation. In 1985, a set of alternative terms, endodormancy, ectodormancy, and ecodormancy, were suggested to improve the situation (14). During the past 2 years, R. Darnell, J. Early, G. Martin, and I have reviewed the dormancy literature to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of new and previous terms. At various times, N. Arroyave, R. Biasi, R. Femandez-Escobar, G. Stutte, and others from around the world have contributed greatly to discussion and critical analysis of the requirements for a physiological nomenclature. In 1986, ectodormancy was replaced by paradormancy (16) due to the former’s spoken and written similarities to ecodormancy. This paper summarizes the communicative burden presented by the current terminology, the evolution of the new terms, the universal classification system in which the terms are used, and the implications for future dormancy research. These topics are presented in greater detail elsewhere (15).

Do Strigolactones Regulate BudWinter Dormancy and Charactrisitc Secondary Metabolism in Tea?

“…Unfavorable external factors, such as nutrients, water and low temperature, would induce the growth to dormancy and will quickly resume growth in the absence of these unfavorable factors [44]. In accordance with the central roles of strigolactones in stress responses, strigolactones biosynthetic genes MAX1, MAX3 and MAX4 are influenced by drought, salt and ABA in Arabidopsis leaves, further supporting the notion that stress-mediated strigolactones homeostasis is essential for boosting plant resistance against environmental stresses [45].…”

Statistical Approach to Assess Chill and Heat Requirements of Olive Tree Based on Flowering Date and Temperatures Data: Towards Selection of Adapted Cultivars to Global Warming

“…Perennial fruit species enter a dormancy phase in late autumn to ovoid the freezing temperature during winter in their respective habitat of origin [48]. Following the winter dormancy classification into endo and eco-dormancy, researchers have defined the concepts of chill and heat requirements, CR and HR respectively, to represent the climatic needs of buds for overcoming the dormant state [49]. CR and HR are considered as two main driver factors for the timing of budburst and bloom in temperate tree species [50].…”

Evolutionary origin and functional specialization of Dormancy-Associated MADS box (DAM) proteins in perennial crops

“…In temperate perennial plants, bud formation and winter dormancy ensure meristematic tissues (vegetative and reproductive) remain in a non-growing safer state, regardless of short temporary warmer periods, until a quantitative perception of environmental chilling fulfils the genetically-encoded chilling requirements of a given cultivar or variety [ 3 ]. This true dormancy (or endodormancy) term opposes to paradormancy and ecodormancy, which respectively refer to the quiescent state of buds repressed by correlative inhibition and dormancy-released buds requiring a period of warm temperatures prior to growth resumption and bud-break [ 4 ]. Since global warming is expected to reduce available winter chilling for satisfying winter dormancy release requirements, this climatic threat is potentially capable of impairing adaptability and yield in the case of crops [ 5 ], and even favouring the summer dormancy trait that enhances plant survival under extreme temperatures and summer droughts [ 6 ].…”