WINTER METABOLISM IN DECIDUOUS TREES: MECHANISMS, GENES AND ASSOCIATED PROTEINS

Abstract

Plants vary greatly in their ability to survive cold temperatures; some may withstand extreme freezing conditions, while others will be irreversibly injured at temperatures above freezing. The maximum freezing tolerance of plants is induced in response to environmental signals. Temperate woody trees need to acclimate to survive the cold winter. Trees have evolved a complex dynamic process controlling the development of dormancy and cold hardiness that synchronize accurately the onset and termination of winter metabolism. Only recently has been obtained progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of dormancy and freezing tolerance development in woody plants, and emerging disciplines are opening a wide horizon for future studies. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent developments indicating that cold-responsive genes and proteins contribute to freezing tolerance during winter in woody plants.