Talk:Vernalization

Accuracy
Something is fishy there with the definition. Can it be that the term has two meanings? I've seen something different as well. (The Lysenko story OK, but still needs references ) mikka (t) 01:07, 22 December 2005 (UTC)

Vernalization seems to explain that some biennial crops need low tempearture chilling to advocate flower initiation or change plants from juvenile phase to mature phase. I don't know if it could be applied for a tree. Should we use "bud dormancy" to say the bud physiology of a tree. 11:41, 6 April 2006. Chester from Taiwan

I think you are getting a little confused here. Vernalisation is related to the transition to flowering; bud dormancy is a completely different process. 24.58.2.193 01:07, 29 June 2006 (UTC)deccaden

To be more specific, vernalization refers to the transition of a meristem from vegetative to reproductive, i.e. cold is need for the flower bud to form. Dormancy is different in that the bud is already reproductive (i.e. the flower has already formed), but the bud needs to be exposed to low temperatures before the flower bud will grow out and the flower opens. Most fruit trees produce flower buds in the fall, but the buds remain dormant until the chilling requirement has been met. So fruit trees genertally are a good example of dormancy. Many herbaceous perennials or biannuals do not produce flower buds in the fall, but instead need to be exposed to low temperatures for the meristem to go from vegetative to reproductive. So the low temperatures are needed for the formation of a flower bud. In summary: dormancy inhibits the growth of flower buds, while vernalization induces the formation of flower buds. December 4, 2006, Marc van Iersel

Section on Lysenko is uncited and misrepresents his contribution to the subject
Lysenko made a real contribution to the science of vernalization, a word invented to translate "jarovization", which was the word he coined for it. His mistaken belief that a vernalized state was hereditable is part of the story, but it is not the entire story of his connection with vernalization. Sharktopus talk  16:48, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Clarification of when this was recognised
I note that the article currently states that "Scientists had also discussed how some plants needed cold temperatures to flower, as early as the 18th century, with the German plant physiologist Gustav Gassner often mentioned for his 1918 paper.[3][4]" However, the example provided is 20th century, rather than 18th century (1700's). 101.98.158.212 (talk) 06:08, 3 November 2013 (UTC)