Plants hormones | hormones of plants | types of hormones

 Plant Hormone Functions

Muhammad Farooq

Plants hormones and their functions

Plants, like animals, produce hormones to regulate various processes within their bodies. These hormones are chemical signaling molecules that are produced in small amounts and act over long distances within the plant. There are several types of plant hormones, including auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. Each hormone plays a specific role in plant growth and development.

Auxins are responsible for cell elongation, apical dominance (the tendency of the main shoot to grow taller than lateral shoots), and the regulation of root growth. They are involved in the development of flowers and fruit, and in the response of plants to light.

Cytokinins promote cell division and help regulate growth and development. They also play a role in plant responses to stress and in the regulation of the plant's water balance.

Gibberellins stimulate the growth of stems and leaves and the production of flowers and seeds. They also play a role in the germination of seeds and in the development of fruit.

Abscisic acid is involved in the regulation of stomatal opening and closing, which helps the plant regulate its water balance. It also plays a role in the dormancy of seeds and in the abscission (shedding) of leaves and flowers.

Ethylene is involved in the ripening of fruit and the senescence (aging) of leaves. It also plays a role in the response of plants to stress and in the development of flowers.

Plants use a complex system of signaling pathways to coordinate the action of these hormones and regulate their growth and development. Understanding the role of these hormones in plant growth and development has helped scientists develop new techniques for improving crop yields and the growth and quality of ornamental plants.