A CURRENT REVIEW ON THE REGULATION OF DORMANCY IN VEGETATIVE BUDS

Authors: Anderson, James; Chao, Wun; Horvath, David

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2001
Publication Date: 9/1/2001
Citation: Anderson, J.V., Chao, W.S., Horvath, D.P. 2001. A current review on the regulation of dormancy in vegetative buds. Weed Science. 49:581-589.

Interpretive Summary: This invited review covers aspects of dormancy in vegetative propagules of weeds/plants with an emphasis on perennial weeds. The review covers the physiology of bud dormancy, molecular mechanisms of hormone action in bud dormancy, molecular regulation of dormancy at the cell cycle level, and future directions of dormancy research in perennial weeds.

Technical Abstract: Here, we review current techniques, recent advances, and the probable future direction associated with understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in controlling dormancy in vegetative propagules of plants with an emphasis on perennial weeds. A considerable amount of research suggests that lack of growth is due to blockage of cell division resulting from interactions between signaling pathways controlling dormancy and those controlling cell cycle. In plants, these signaling mechanisms are regulated by growth factors (hormones), environment, light, and internal physiological factors. Underground adventitious root buds (UABs) serve as the primary mechanism for perennial weed growth and their dormancy-based survival mechanism makes perennial weeds such as leafy spurge, field bind weed and Canada thistle persistent problems in the U.S. and Canada. Since current control measures have not proven very effective for controlling these problematic weeds, this review suggests possible novel approaches for studying this phenomenon.