Plant hormones

Plant hormones (also known as phytohormones) are chemicals that regulate plant growth. Plant hormones
are signal molecules produced within the plant, and occur in extremely low concentrations. Hormones
regulate cellular processes in targeted cells locally and when moved to other locations, in other locations of
the plant. Hormones also determine the formation of flowers, stems, leaves, the shedding of leaves, and the
development and ripening of fruit. Plants, unlike animals, lack glands that produce and secrete hormones,
instead each cell is capable of producing hormones. Plant hormones shape the plant, affecting seed growth,
time of flowering, the sex of flowers, senescence of leaves and fruits. They affect which tissues grow
upward and which grow downward, leaf formation and stem growth, fruit development and ripening, plant
longevity, and even plant death. Hormones are vital to plant growth and lacking them, plants would be
mostly a mass of undifferentiated cells.
Hormones are transported within the plant by different types of movements. For localized movement,
cytoplasmic streaming within cells and slow diffusion of ions and molecules between cells are utilized.
Vascular tissues are used to move hormones from one part of the plant to another; these include sieve tubes
that move sugars from the leaves to the roots and flowers, and xylem that moves water and mineral solutes
from the roots to the foliage

1)Abscisic Acid

Functions of Abscisic Acid

 Stimulates the closure of stomata (water stress brings about an increase in ABA synthesis).
 Inhibits shoot growth but will not have as much affect on roots or may even promote growth of roots.
 Induces seeds to synthesize storage proteins.
 Inhibits the affect of gibberellins on stimulating de novo synthesis of a-amylase.
 Has some effect on induction and maintenance of dormancy.

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2)Auxins

Functions of Auxin
 Stimulates cell elongation
 Stimulates cell division in the cambium and, in combination with cytokinins in tissue culture
 Stimulates differentiation of phloem and xylem
 Stimulates root initiation on stem cuttings and lateral root development in tissue culture
 Mediates the tropistic response of bending in response to gravity and light
 The auxin supply from the apical bud suppresses growth of lateral buds
 Delays leaf senescence
 Can inhibit or promote (via ethylene stimulation) leaf and fruit abscission
 Can induce fruit setting and growth in some plants
 Involved in assimilate movement toward auxin possibly by an effect on phloem transport
 Delays fruit ripening
 Stimulates growth of flower parts
 Promotes (via ethylene production) femaleness in dioecious flowers
 Stimulates the production of ethylene at high concentrations

3)Cytokinins

Cytokinin Functions
 Stimulates cell division.
 Stimulates morphogenesis (shoot initiation/bud formation) in tissue culture.
 Stimulates the growth of lateral buds-release of apical dominance.
 Stimulates leaf expansion resulting from cell enlargement.
 May enhance stomatal opening in some species.
 Promotes the conversion of etioplasts into chloroplasts via stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis.

4)Ethylene
H2C=CH2
Functions of Ethylene
 Stimulates the release of dormancy.
 Stimulates shoot and root growth and differentiation (triple response)
 May have a role in adventitious root formation.
 Stimulates leaf and fruit abscission.
 Stimulates Bromiliad flower induction.
 Induction of femaleness in dioecious flowers.
 Stimulates flower opening.
 Stimulates flower and leaf senescence.
 Stimulates fruit ripening.

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5)Gibberellins

Functions of Gibberellins
 Stimulate stem elongation by stimulating cell division and elongation.
 Stimulates bolting/flowering in response to long days.
 Breaks seed dormancy in some plants which require stratification or light to induce germination.
 Stimulates enzyme production (a-amylase) in germinating cereal grains for mobilization of seed
reserves.
 Induces maleness in dioecious flowers (sex expression).
 Can cause parthenocarpic (seedless) fruit development.
 Can delay senescence in leaves and citrus fruits.