Gibberellic acid, as an important member of the plant hormone family, plays a critical role in the growth and development of plants. Since its discovery, it has occupied an important position in agricultural production and plant research with its unique physiological regulation function. Below, let’s learn about the magical role of gibberellic acid in plant growth.
a. Promote stem elongation
One of the most significant effects of gibberellic acid is to promote the elongation of plant stems. In the early stages of growth, the elongation rate of stems of many plants is relatively slow. Gibberellic acid can significantly accelerate the growth process of stems by stimulating cell elongation. For example, in rice planting, spraying gibberellic acid in appropriate amounts can make rice stems elongate rapidly, increase plant height, and enable rice to better obtain sunlight and photosynthesize during growth, accumulating energy for subsequent flowering and fruiting.
b. Break dormancy and promote germination
Some plant seeds have dormancy characteristics, which is a self-protection mechanism formed by plants in the long-term evolution process. However, in agricultural production, seed dormancy sometimes brings inconvenience to sowing. Gibberellic acid can break seed dormancy and promote seed germination. Taking potatoes as an example, tubers will enter a dormant state during storage. After treatment with gibberellins, dormancy can be broken, tubers can be quickly germinated, and the planting cycle can be more controllable, which improves production efficiency.
c. Inducing flowering and regulating flowering period
Gibberellins play an important regulatory role in the flowering process of plants. For some plants that require specific environmental conditions to bloom, gibberellins can simulate these conditions and induce plants to bloom early. For example, some plants that originally require low-temperature vernalization to bloom can achieve flowering without experiencing a low-temperature stage by spraying gibberellins. This feature has important application value in flower planting. Growers can flexibly adjust the flowering period of flowers according to market demand and improve economic benefits.
d. Affecting sex differentiation
In some plants with male and female flowers on the same plant or dioecious plants, gibberellins can affect the sex differentiation of flowers. Generally speaking, gibberellins treatment will increase the number of male flowers and relatively reduce the number of female flowers. This is of great significance for the production of vegetable crops such as cucumbers. Growers can adjust the sex ratio of cucumber flowers and improve the yield and quality of cucumbers by using gibberellins reasonably.
e. Prevent shedding and promote fruit setting
During plant growth, the phenomenon of falling flowers and fruits will affect crop yield. Gibberellins can inhibit the formation of abscission layers, prevent flowers and fruits from falling prematurely, and promote fruit setting. In grape cultivation, spraying gibberellins can not only prevent grape flowers and fruits from falling, but also make the fruits swell and increase the commercial value of the fruits.
Although gibberellins are effective in regulating plant growth, the concentration and dosage must be strictly controlled when used. Excessive concentration may cause plants to grow too long, deformed, and even affect the normal physiological functions of plants. In agricultural production, growers should use gibberellins scientifically and rationally according to the characteristics and needs of different plants, give full play to its advantages, and provide strong support for agricultural production increase and plant research.
