Definition of "vernalization" in English

noun

1. (agrobiology) The treatment of seeds or bulbs by exposure to low temperatures so as to decrease the vegetative period or to cause the plant to flower or bear fruit more quickly.

   • This low temperature requirement for flowering, called vernalization, begins at germination. Vernalization is assumed to occur at temperatures between 0 and 18°C (Ahrens and Loomis, 1963; Tirone and Metzer, 1970).
   • Furthermore, vernalization has been shown to override the late-flowering phenotype. […] Both VRN1 and VRN2 genes have been identified to be associated with vernalization.