Seed dormancy back on track; its definition and regulation by DOG1

Seed traits like dormancy, germination rate, and longevity determine the start of the life cycle of plants. The desired values for these traits can be very different for plants growing under natural or agricultural conditions. For the first, germination should be postponed until the start of a favorable growth season and germination should be well balanced with the prevailing environmental conditions. For crop plants, germination should be immediate, uniform and fast.