HOW DO PLANTS SURVIVE ICE

Plant species have had to adapt to freezing and the presence of ice in many climatic zones. Annual plants avoid ice by seed dispersal but, f or biennials and perennials to survive they must cope with ice in vari ous forms. Most plants that are regularly exposed to ice during their life cycles have acquired a dormant or quiescent winter period, when t hey are more tolerant to freezing temperatures. This Botanical Briefin g explores some associations between plants and ice, with an emphasis on processes in plants that alleviate stress imposed by ice cover. Exa mples are taken from winter cereals which must reach an equilibrium bo th with ice and with freezing temperatures for survival and economic p roductivity. (C) 1996 Annals of Botany Company