Plant Growth Regulators in Horticulture: Techniques for Manipulating Plant Architecture
Plant growth regulators have grown in popularity in horticulture and agriculture over the past few decades. They are chemicals that can modify the growth and
development of plants. They are used for a variety of purposes, such as enhancing crop yields or improving the quality of fruits and vegetables. Recently, the increased global demand for food has caused a surge in PGR use. In this article, we'll discuss how plant growth regulators influence plant architecture to produce advantageous outcomes in horticulture.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs)
Plant growth regulators are chemical substances that influence plant growth and development. They can either promote or restrict plant growth, depending on the desired application. PGRs are frequently used in horticulture to regulate the size and shape of plants and improve the colour and quality of flowers. They increase yield by enhancing the internal physiology of developing fruits in order to improve fruit set, reduce fruit drop, and heal a variety of physiological defects.
PGRs are divided into two categories based on the consequences of their actions: plant growth promoters and plant growth inhibitors. The first category includes auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, while the second includes abscisic acid and ethylene. Each of these chemicals affects plant growth in different ways. When choosing a plant growth regulator, it is crucial to take into account both the targeted plant species and the desired effect.
Uses of plant growth regulators in horticulture
● Propagation of plants
Many plants can be propagated by layering, leaf, and stem cutting. Synthetic auxins such as IBA and NAA are applied to promote rooting in those plants. Gibberellic acid is used to inhibit root development in cuttings in certain cases as well. In cuttings and layers, cytokinins also aid in rapid and abundant root development. Cuttings of plants like guava, pomegranate and hibiscus show profuse root growth when auxins are used.
● Controlling sexual expression
Some plants, such as watermelon, cucumber, and pumpkin, have more male flowers than female flowers. Auxins can increase the number of female flowers and decrease the number of male flowers to
correct this unbalanced sex expression and boost yield.
● Decreasing fruit drops
Fruit drops happen when auxin levels go down. Auxins and gibberellins are commonly used to prevent fruit drop and increase fruit quality.
● Fruit ripening
Fruits sell for a good price when they are introduced to markets early in the season. Applying ethylene does the trick. Ethylene is the major regulator of ripening and senescence in both dry and fleshy fruits. It is a gaseous plant hormone that causes fruit to mature and is well-known for its role in plant ageing, including flower and leaf senescence.
● Fruit thinning
Ethylene can be used to thin certain fruits, like apples. It helps to maintain a balance between nutrient availability and fruit development. Thinning increases the uniformity of ripening by allowing air and sunlight to enter the branches.
● Preventing spouting
Oftentimes, after harvest, the buds on potatoes and onions begin to sprout in storage, rendering them unfit for cooking. Auxins and exogenous ethylene
are used to prevent sprouting, increase respiration, and increase shelf life.
● Weed control
Auxins are also used as herbicides to control weed growth. They disrupt the growth and developmental processes of the weed,damaging it lethally.
● Flowering regulation
Auxin and gibberellic acid are used to influence flowering patterns. For example, pineapples mature in the rainy season due to later flowering. This reduces the quality of the fruit. In this situation, applying auxins induces early flowering.
Conclusion
Plant growth regulators have a massive potential to impact crop production efficiency in a significant way, both in terms of energy savings and financial savings, as well as greater profitability. With the help of PGR, horticulturists can boost their yield and increase the quality of their crops while minimising the use of resources and labour costs. Adopting PGR can propel horticulture in a lucrative direction.
Plant growth regulators can significantly change the economic landscape of horticulture. Dhanuka Agritech intends to be a part of that revolution and provides a
wide range of farm solutions, including insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and plant growth regulators such as Mycore, wetcit, dhanzyme gold and maxyld to effectively protect and boost your crops and revenues. Visit www.dhanuka.com to learn about the newest agricultural trends, conversations, and practical tips.
Source Url: https://theomnibuzz.com/plant-growthregulators-in-horticulture-techniques-for-manipulatingplant-architecture/