BIOLOGICAL BASES OF THE USE OF COLD IN ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

D. Côme
Cold is often a determinant factor for plant life since it reduces biological activities. However, well adapted plants withstand winter temperatures, and these temperatures are often necessary for the development of species from temperate climates. Without cold, many seeds would not be able to germinate perfectly, buds of woody plants would not grow at spring time, and some flowers would not appear. All these aspects of plant biology, even if they are not well understood in their mechanisms, may lead to manifold applications in ornamental horticulture. The various actions of low nonfreezing temperatures are presented by examining first the general effects of cold, and then successively its beneficial actions (seed germination, bud growth, flowering) and its noxious consequences (chilling injuries).
Côme, D. (1991). BIOLOGICAL BASES OF THE USE OF COLD IN ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE. Acta Hortic. 298, 21-28
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1991.298.1
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1991.298.1

Acta Horticulturae