The regulation of secondary dormancy. The membrane hypothesis revisited

Secondary dormancy is predominantly associated with seed behaviour in soil seed banks. Periodic changes in secondary dormancy may explain seasonal emergence of weedy species. Temperature and possibly soil water potential appear to be the predominant factors that determine the annual cycling of dormancy. Dormancy cycling is paralleled by modulations of germination responsiveness to germination stimulants, such as light and nitrate and to the width of the germination temperature window. Membranes have been proposed to be the primary target for the perception of temperature. It is hypothesized that alterations In properties of cellular membranes are involved in the regulation of dormancy. Possible mechanisms are discussed.