Gibberellic acid, also known as gibberellin, is a plant growth regulator that plays a vital role in various physiological processes of plants.
Gibberellic acid, also known as gibberellin, is a plant growth regulator that plays a vital role in various physiological processes of plants.
Its main functions and usage include:
Stem elongation: Gibberellic acid promotes stem elongation by stimulating cell division and elongation between stem nodes. This helps the plant grow taller and increases the distance between nodes.
Seed Germination: Gibberellic acid can break seed dormancy and promote germination by enhancing the synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes that degrade food reserves stored in the seed, allowing the embryo to grow and emerge from the seed coat.
Flowering: Gibberellic acid regulates flowering in some plant species by promoting the formation of floral primordia and accelerating the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth stages.
Fruit Development: Gibberellic acid can enhance fruit set and promote fruit growth by stimulating cell division and enlargement of the developing fruit, resulting in larger and more uniform fruit sizes.
Parthenocarpy induction: The application of gibberellic acid can induce parthenocarpy in certain fruit crops, i.e. fruit development without the need for fertilization, resulting in seedless fruits with the desired characteristics.
Gibberellic acid is usually applied to plants as a foliar spray or by soaking the seeds in a solution of gibberellic acid before planting. Recommended dosage and application times vary depending on plant species, growth stage and desired effect.