Dormancy: Toward a Reduced, Universal Terminology

Abstract

In observing the growth phases of a plant’s many structures, a paraphrasing of J.L. Harper (7), and later Sussman and Douthit (13), comes to mind: “Some structures are born dormant, some achieve dormancy, and some have dormancy thrust upon them”. Indeed, the dormancy phenomena can be associated with essentially all meristematic regions of the plant. Accordingly, a wealth of terminology has arisen to describe various plant dormancy phenomena. While recently discussing seasonal growth processes, our use and misuse of current and historic dormancy terms led us to conclude that a simplified, descriptive dormancy terminology would be of benefit to the plant science community. Our purpose here is to review briefly the terminology now in use, critically examine dormancy phenomena and reduce terminology to a minimal number of descriptive terms, and consequently to stimulate discussion of this terminology scheme by our peers.

Perspectives on the adaptation of Japanese plum-type cultivars to reduced winter chilling in two regions of Spain

“…Japanese plum (hybrids of Prunus salicina Lindl. ), like other temperate fruit tree species, enters a period of dormancy in late autumn to survive at the low temperatures of winter and blooms at the end of winter in most of the growing areas ( Lang et al., 1985 ; Guerra and Rodrigo, 2015 ). Dormancy has been defined as the absence of signs of visible growth in any plant structure containing a meristem, and three several phases can been distinguished: (1) endodormancy, regulated by internal physiological factors of the affected plant structure, (2) paradormancy, regulated by physiological factors external to the structure, such as apical dominance, and (3) ecodormancy, regulated by environmental factors ( Lang et al., 1987 ).…”

“…Chilling requirements are specific to each cultivar and refer to the duration and depth of chilling required during endodormancy ( Jansson and Douglas, 2007 ). Once trees fulfill their chilling requirements, they enter the ecodormancy phase, which is influenced by external environmental factors ( Lang et al., 1985 ). During this phase, trees must be exposed to a period of warm temperatures for bud break and flowering to occur ( Brown and Kotob, 1956 ; Lang et al., 1987 ; Guerra and Rodrigo, 2015 ; Fadón et al., 2020b ).…”

Expression of DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM)-like genes in apple

“…Low winter temperatures are required to align the growth rhythm with the annual cycle. There are three categories of dormancy in boreal and temperate zone woody plants: paradormancy, endodormancy, and ecodormancy (Lang et al 1985, Welling and Palva 2006, Horvath 2009. The paradormancy, also known as summer dormancy, is synonymous with apical dominance.…”

Dormancy: A New Universal Terminology

“…At various times, N. Arroyave, R. Biasi, R. Femandez-Escobar, G. Stutte, and others from around the world have contributed greatly to dis cussion 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.…”