Plant dormancy involves synchronization of environmental cues with developmental processes to ensure plant survival; however, negative impacts of plant dormancy include pre-harvest sprouting, non-uniform germination of crop and weed seeds, and fruit loss due to inappropriate bud break. Thus, our continued quest to disseminate information is important in moving our understanding of plant dormancy forward and to develop new ideas for improving food, feed, and fiber production and efficient weed control, particularly under global climate change. Proceeding from the 5th International Plant Dormancy Symposium will provide an overview related on our current understanding of how environmental factors impact cellular, molecular, and physiological processes involved in bud and seed dormancy, and perspectives and/or reviews on achievements, which should stimulate new ideas and lines of investigation that increase our understanding of plant dormancy and highlight directions for future research. 

James V. Anderson, Agricultural Research Service, Fargo, North Dakota, USA Publications (Over 115 articles in peer-reviewed journals) Dogramaci, M., Foley, M.E., Chao, W.S., Christoffers, M.J., Anderson, J.V. 2013. Induction of endodormancy in crown buds of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) implicates a role for ethylene and cross-talk between photoperiod and temperature. Plant Molecular Biology. 81(6):577-593. Foley, M.E., Chao, W.S., Horvath, D.P., Dogramaci, M., Anderson, J.V. 2013. The transcriptomes of dormant leafy spurge seeds under alternating temperature are differentially affected by a germination-enhancing pretreatment. Journal of Plant Physiology. 170(6):539-547.

Molecular and Hormonal Regulation of Thermoinhibition of Seed Germination.- Regulation of Seed Dormancy Cycling in Seasonal Field Environments.- Role of the Circadian Clock in Cold Acclimation and Winter Dormancy in Perennial Plants.- Dormancy Behaviors and Underlying Regulatory Mechanisms: from Perspective of Pathways to Epigenetic Regulation.- Recent Advances and Molecular Control of Bud Dormancy in Pipfruits.- Flower Bud Dormancy in Prunus Species.- Dormancy Associated MADS-BOX Genes: a Review.- Functional Characterization of Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume) DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-box1(PmDAM1),a Paralog ofPmDAM6, usingPopulus Transformants.- The Genetic Components Involved in Sensing Chilling Requirements in Apricot.- Prolonged Exposure of Grapevine Buds to Low Temperatures Increases Dormancy, Cold-hardiness and the Expression ofVv-AMYs Genes.- Bridging Dormancy Release and Apical Dominance in Potato Tuber.- Meta-analysis Identifies Potential Molecular Markers for Endodormancy in Crown Buds of Leafy Spurge; an Herbaceous Perennial.- A Comparison of Transcriptomes between Germinating Seeds and Growing Axillary Buds of Arabidopsis.- Dormancy Induction and Release in Buds and Seeds.- Comparing Genetic Mechanisms of Bud Chilling Fulfillment and Seed Cold Stratification: a Role for Peach (Prunus persica)?.- Chemical Release of Endodormancy in Potato Involves Multiple Mechanisms.- Exploring Alternative Bud break Enhancing Product in Zesy003 (Gold9) by Painting Application.- Assessment of Alternative Budbreak Enhancers for Commercial Kiwifruit Production of Gold3.- Effect of BLUPRINS® application on bud release from dormancy in kiwifruit, cherry, and table grape.