Dormancy

A period in which a plant does not grow, awaiting necessary environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, nutrient availability.

A period in the life of an animal (hibeRNA tion and aestivation) or plant during which growth slows or completely ceases. Evolved to allow survival of adverse environmental conditions. Annual plants survive the winter as dormant seeds, while many perennial plants survive as dormant tubers, rhizomes, or bulbs. Premature breaking of seed dormancy post harvest can be a major problem for maintaining nutritional and/or functional quality, while difficulties in breaking dormancy will lead to poor germination of the crop. See: quiescent.