Abstract
ABSTRACTBud dormancy in woody plants is released by long‐term exposure to non‐freezing chilling temperatures, whereas freezing temperatures have been considered to have little or no effect. However, the present results demonstrate that short‐term exposure to freezing can release bud dormancy in Betula pubescens (Ehrh.) and B. pendula (Roth). Short‐term freezing during the dormancy induction phase improved the release of bud dormancy only if an adequate level of dormancy had been reached. In fully dormant or chilled plants both the percentage and the speed of bud‐burst increased, the more so the lower the temperature. Our results rule out the possibility that endogenous abscisic acid could be directly involved in the physiological control of bud dormancy release. The fast, easily applicable method presented here for bud dormancy release could further investigations into the biochemical and biophysical background to the process. The mechanisms of bud dormancy release and its relationship to cold acclimation are discussed in the light of these results, as also are the implications of the findings for modelling of bud dormancy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
