Plant Growth and Development: The Role of Hormones Like Auxin and Gibberellin
Plants grow and develop in amazing ways. Hormones control these processes. Auxin and gibberellin play key roles. Moreover, they work together with other hormones to shape the plant.
Auxin promotes cell elongation. It helps stems bend toward light. This process is called phototropism. Additionally, auxin guides roots downward. It supports geotropism. Farmers use synthetic auxin to root cuttings easily.
Gibberellin stimulates stem growth. It makes plants taller quickly. Seeds need gibberellin to break dormancy. Therefore, gibberellin-treated seeds germinate faster. It also expands fruit size in some crops.
Both hormones influence many parts of the plant. Auxin controls apical dominance. It stops side branches from growing too much. Gibberellin breaks that control in some cases. As a result, plants branch more when gibberellin levels rise.
Plants respond to the environment through these hormones. Light, gravity, and temperature affect hormone levels. Consequently, growth adjusts to surroundings. For example, auxin moves to the shaded side of a stem. The stem then curves toward the light.
Scientists study these hormones carefully. They develop better farming methods. Moreover, they create dwarf varieties with low gibberellin. These plants stay short and strong. Farmers prefer them for high yields.
Auxin and gibberellin also help in tissue culture. Labs use them to grow new plants from small pieces. This technique speeds up crop improvement.
In summary, auxin and gibberellin drive essential growth steps. They control height, direction, and timing. Understanding them helps improve agriculture. Plants thrive better when we manage these hormones wisely.
CMP Bio World 