Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2009, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (05): 629-641.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-3466.2009.05.014

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Advances in Studies of Seed Dormancy

Tingting Fu, Hongyan Cheng, Songquan Song*

  

  1. Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
  • Received:2008-11-25 Revised:2009-02-15 Online:2009-09-01 Published:2009-09-01
  • Contact: Songquan Song

Abstract:

Seed dormancy is an adaptation to environmental changes that plants acquire during long-term phylogenesis. Dormancy may ensure that the species can survive natural catastrophes, decrease competition between individuals of the same species, or prevent germination out of season. Here, we review a classification scheme of seed dormancy; its development and continuum, regulation and evolution; as well as proteins associated with the induction, maintenance and release of dormancy. We also describe topics for future study of seed dormancy.