Genetic basis for seed dormancy

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Abstract
Seed dormancy is an important physiological stage in the life cycle of many seed-bearing plants. In an ever-changing environment, dormancy increases survival by distributing germination over time. In general, seed dormancy is a quantitative trait that is influenced by environmental factors. Depending on the species and accession, dormancy is controlled by nuclear factors, maternal factors or both, and dormancy can be genetically the dominant or recessive form of the trait. Wild oat (Avena fatua) is a well developed system for dormancy investigations. Dormancy in wild oat is regulated by three major genes as well as environmental factors, and dormancy is conditionally the recessive form of the trait. This paper summarizes current knowledge on genetic and environmental factors, and the interaction of these factors, on seed dormancy in several cereal grain and dicotyledonous species. Some applications of this knowledge to improve crops and manage weeds are outlined.