Embryonic diapause

The dormancy is a form of dormancy ( developmental delay ). It occurs in both plants and animals. In animals, one also speaks of Eiruhe or Vortragezeit.

Dormancy in plants

In plants of temperate climates dormancy ( dormancy) of the mature seed is the rule. This protection mechanism of plants to climatic seasonality is taken into account to the effect that the germination takes place in a favorable season and the seedling find optimal growth opportunities.

The period of dormancy is very different for the different plant species, as well as the factors that deplete the seed dormancy. Influencing factors are: moisture, temperature fluctuations, light conditions and nutrient medium (soil ).

The dormancy must be completed when seed is applied in the seedbed. During the dormancy ends just a few days after ripening rye, it is in wheat and barley for several weeks, apple seeds germinate even after a winter frost. The artificial reduction of dormancy is referred to in this case as stratification.

Dormancy in animals

In animals dormancy refers to the phenomenon that a fertilized egg of a mammal not immediately continuously developed into an embryo. The fertilized egg ( zygote ) implants itself in the uterine lining though, but shares not initially. Only after the dormancy begins the normal embryonic development. The resulting increased gestation time allows the birth during a favorable for the breeding season.

When deer as the fertilization takes place in late July during the rut. But not until the end of November begins the embryonic growth. Thus, the fawns in the vegetation -rich spring ( around May ) are set. In Europe, the dormancy is regularly except for the deer also the badger, marten, ermine, seal, otter and the brown bear. Especially long in proportion to the actual gestation period is the dormancy in marsupials.