Plant growth hormones and regulators have a specific job to perform, and they play a decisive role in plant growth and development. With this article, we will talk about them, including the ones responsible for strengthening plant stems. Read on!
Factors influencing plant growth
For a plant to grow in a favourable environment and thrive consistently; it requires an adequate amount of water, light, air, a source of nutrition, temperature and space. The need for each of these differs greatly among plants. And the lack of one or a combination of these essentials will turn out to be a limiting factor/s and negatively affect plant growth.
Along with critical external factors, plants rely on organic compounds or hormones. In humans, hormones play the role of chemical messengers and make psychological changes. Much is the same in plants, where hormones play a crucial role in their overall development, controlling and regulating germination, growth, metabolism, etc.
Plant hormones vs plant growth regulators
While plant hormones are synthesized naturally by plants (normally available in plants at very low concentrations), plant growth regulators could refer to synthetic compounds whose task is to mimic the naturally occurring plant hormones. Plant growth regulators, sometimes referred to as plant growth hormones are used to modify the physiological process in plants, and they act inside plant cells stimulating needed enzymes and regulating plant metabolism.
Importance of plant growth regulators
PGR, or what we refer as plant growth regulators promote crop growth; the timely application may stimulate the pace that influences plant growth, eventually increasing the yield. They can prevent flowers and fruits from falling off prematurely by enhancing fertilization and cell viability. Plant growth regulators can also improve the quality of fruit content, growth and photosynthesis of crops, accelerate the absorption, metabolism and storage of nutrients.
Types of growth-regulating substances
As discussed, plants produce hormones naturally, whereas; humans apply plant growth regulators to plants. The hormones and growth regulators can impact flowering, ageing, root growth, colour quality in fruit, leaf stamina stem elongation, to name a few. The growth regulating substances are often applied using a spray to foliage, as liquid around the base of a plant or broadcasted in granular form. Plant growth regulating compounds can be broadly classified into five types: Auxin, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene and Abscisic acid.
The role of regulators in stem growth and other functions
Auxin can result in different responses in plants, including bending plants towards sunlight, downward root growth, flower formation, growth of fruit set etc., to name a few. When a plant bends towards a light source, it is because of Auxin in the stem. It is an essential part of steady cell growth and is commonly found in actively growing plants, having the most concentration in the primary stem.
Gibberellins can stimulate cell divisions, support leaf expansion, break seed dormancy, fasten the maturity period, and help increase crop yield.
Cytokinins can promote the growth of lateral buds, can retain flowers and fruit fresh for a long time, improve nutrient mobilization, delay the ageing in leaf crops, create new plant organs, help wounded plants repair themselves etc.
Ethylene, along with other functions, can improve root hair formation and growth, ripen fruit, facilitate senescence etc., whereas the growth inhibitor, Abscisic acid helps develop seeds, regulates abscission and dormancy etc. to name a few.
So, different growth regulators perform various tasks; some play crucial roles in ensuring the proper growth and development of stems in plants.
The best plant growth regulator products
If you’re looking for the best plant growth regulator products in India, then you should check the range of products available at Dhanuka Agritech Limited.
With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and well-equipped Quality Testing, the company provides high-quality plant growth regulators at affordable prices. The company is listed by Forbes Magazine in the category of “200 Best under A Billion Companies in Asia Pacific”.
