vernalization

1 8.8

A period of cold that makes plants flower

noun
/ˌvɜrnəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

Specialized

: vernalización

After 1936, when 7 million hectares were planted with vernalized seed, vernalization was quietly and abruptly abandoned (Rolls-Hansen 1985; also see note added in proof, page 705).

Examples

Certain plants need vernalization, which is a period of cold, to produce flowers in spring.
Without vernalization, some plants may not bloom, as they rely on cold temperatures to trigger flowering.
Vernalization proved to be a costly failure.

Academic text (1993)
He claimed that by cold treatment (vernalization) he could transform winter wheat into spring wheat.

Academic text (1993)
Farmers often use vernalization to ensure their crops flower after the winter months.

Surface Forms

vernalization singular

vernalizations plural

Morphology

vernalization = vernalize (semi-transparent) = vernal + ize + ation

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'vernalize' with '-ation', a standard, transparent formation.

Etymology

Vernalization comes from the root vern- meaning 'spring', and the word vernal also means 'of spring'. It refers to giving plants a cold period so they will 'flower' when spring comes, which is why the name links the process to the season 'spring'.