Dormancy

A state of inactivity for an entire plant or part of a plant. This can be a useful survival strategy when stressful environmental conditions are present, for example, shortage of available water, extreme heat, very cold conditions, or a shortage of nutrients. The plant is able to conserve what internal resources it has, ideally until the return of more suitable environmental conditions when normal growth and development may then continue.

Other reasons why dormancy may occur, include changes to season, so for example, buds may stay dormant for longer during an extended cold season; some hormones (e.g. ABA) promote dormancy so an imbalance of this hormone can prolong dormancy. Grass seeds are in a state of dormancy when they are stored prior to use. When environmental conditions are unsuitable for adequate grass growth, there will be a reduction in growth, followed by a state of dormancy if conditions continue to deteriorate.

Other organisms also experience dormancy, for example, earthworms become dormant when conditions are unsuitable for active living, especially during very cold or dry conditions.