The role of gibberellins: key hormones for plant growth
Gibberellins (Gibberellins) are a class of naturally occurring plant hormones that play a crucial role in plant growth and development. The discovery of gibberellins dates back to the 1930s, and after years of research, it has been widely used in agriculture, horticulture and plant biology. What exactly is the role of gibberellins? In this article, we will delve into the many facets of gibberellin’s role.
Promotes Plant Cell Elongation and Division
One of the most notable effects of gibberellins is that they promote the elongation and division of plant cells. This action is crucial for plant growth and development. By affecting the softness of the cell wall and the permeability of the cell membrane, gibberellin accelerates cell expansion, resulting in rapid elongation of plant stems, leaves and roots. Gibberellins also stimulate cell division, which allows plants to increase their biomass more rapidly during growth, demonstrating a significant growth advantage.
Induction of seed germination and dormancy release
Gibberellins also play an important role in seed germination. When seeds absorb water and begin to germinate, gibberellins are activated and begin to accumulate in the germ. This hormone promotes the production of amylase, which helps the seed break down stored starch and convert it into energy for plant growth. The role of gibberellins is especially critical for certain seeds that need to be released from dormancy in order to germinate, as it breaks dormancy and initiates the germination process, thus increasing the germination rate of plant seeds.
Regulation of flowering and fruit development
Gibberellins also have a significant effect on flowering and fruit development. Under specific photoperiodic conditions, gibberellins can promote bud differentiation, causing plants to flower earlier or normally. This is crucial for agricultural production, especially for the management of cash crops. Gibberellin also plays a role in promoting the growth and development of fruits. It not only increases the size of the fruit, but also improves the shape and appearance of the fruit, making it more valuable as a commodity.
Improve plant resistance
In addition to promoting growth and development, gibberellin can also enhance the resistance of plants to adverse environmental conditions. When plants are subjected to adversity stress such as drought, salinity and low temperature, gibberellin can improve resistance by regulating the metabolic pathways of plants. Specifically, gibberellin can enhance the plant’s ability to absorb and retain water by regulating the content of osmoregulatory substances in the plant’s body, helping the plant to maintain normal growth under adversity.
Application in agriculture and horticulture
Due to its remarkable physiological regulatory effects, gibberellin is widely used in modern agriculture and horticulture. For example, in rice production, gibberellins are used to increase the growth rate of seedlings to ensure an early advantage in field planting. In viticulture, gibberellins are used to treat fruit clusters to encourage fruit enlargement and improve yield and quality. Gibberellin is also commonly used to extend the flowering period of certain ornamental plants to make flowers more competitive in the market.
Summary
The role of gibberellins is multifaceted and wide-ranging, from promoting plant cell elongation and seed germination to regulating flowering and fruit development, gibberellins play a key role in all stages of plant growth and development. Through a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of gibberellins, agricultural producers can make better use of this phytohormone to optimise crop growth and improve the efficiency of agricultural production. Therefore, understanding and mastering the role of gibberellins is of great significance to the sustainable development of modern agriculture and horticulture.