The Role of the CBF-dependent Signalling Pathway in Woody Perennials

摘要

In temperate climates, the meristematic tissues of woody perennials must be able to survive freezing temperatures in order to resume growth the following year, allowing the plant eventually to reach reproductive maturity. For many tree species of thetemperate and boreal forests, this physiological challenge is amplified by the fact that stem and shoot tissues overwinter above the protective snow cover, and are therefore susceptible to extreme cold and winter drought. As the acquisition of deep freezing tolerance (FT) in woody perennials requires growth cessation (Frewen et al, 2000; Li et al., 2003), boreal tree species must synchronize their periods of growth with periods of favourable temperatures, and begin the lengthy processes of growth cessation and cold hardening early enough to ensure that maximal FT is obtained well in advance of winter temperature minima.