Plant Hormones

Plant hormones
Organic compounds produced in low concentrations Produced in one part of plant (i.e. source) Transported to another part of plant (i.e. target) Cause physiological or developmental responses (stimulatory or inhibitory) Hormone- Organic substances produced in small amounts that regulate and coordinate metabolism, growth, and morphogenesis.

Also called plant growth regulators

Plant Hormones
Major types of plant hormones:
Auxins Cytokinins Gibberellins Ethylene Abscisic acid

Plant Hormones
Auxins
Types of auxins used in horticulture
Natural auxin is indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)
IAA is broken down in sunlight

Synthetic auxins used in horticulture:

Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D)

Site of auxin production in plants:

Shoot and root tips (apical meristems) Young, expanding leaves Young seeds

Plant Hormones
Auxins
Action of auxins in plants:
Stimulate cell elongation
Bend toward light because more auxin remains in cells on opposite side of light source Etiolated plants have long internodes because auxin not quickly broken down

Promotes apical dominance

Pinching bud removes source of auxin and releases axillary buds from apical dominance

Promotes growth of adventitious roots

We used both IBA and NAA with geranium cuttings

Plant Hormones
Auxins
Actions of auxins in plants
Promotes or inhibits abscission of leaves, flowers and fruit
NAA applied shortly after bloom is used to thin apples NAA applied during fruit development inhibits abscission of apples

Auxin concentration determines if action is stimulatory or inhibitory

Low concentration promotes adventitious root growth, but high concentration inhibits root growth of cuttings 2, 4-D is used as herbicide by applying at high concentrations

Auxin Plays a Role in the Differentiation and Regeneration of Vascular Tissue

Auxin Promotes Fruit Development

Auxin Promotes the Formation of Lateral and Adventitious Roots

Auxin Prevents Abscission

Synthetic Auxins Kill Weeds- Herbicides

Plant Hormones
Gibberellins
Types of gibberellins used in horticulture
Several different gibberellins (GA) produced by plants
Large, complicated molecules not synthesized Commercial gibberellins produced by fungus

Site of gibberellin production in plants:

Shoot and root tips (apical meristems) Young, expanding leaves Embryos Fruits Tubers

Plant Hormones
Gibberellins
Action of gibberellins in plants:
Stimulate cell elongation
Dwarf plants treated with gibberellins produce normal growth Applied to grapes to elongate the peduncle (stem of flower cluster) and pedicels (stem of single flower), making looser cluster

Promotes cell division in vascular cambium Promotes seed germination

causes production of enzymes that break down starch into energy needed for growth Used by beer brewers to stimulate sugar production in barley malt (sugar is converted into alcohol during fermentation)

Influences flower and fruit development

Gibberellin Plays Multiple Roles in

1) Breaking Seed Dormancy 2) In Germination

Gibberellin Affects Fruit Development

Plant Hormones
Cytokinins
Types of cytokinins used in horticulture
Several natural forms
Zeatin first cytokinin isolated

Synthetic cytokinins used in horticulture:

Benzyladenine (BA)

Site of cytokinin production in plants:

Embryos Young leaves and fruit Apical meristems of roots

Plant Hormones
Cytokinins
Actions of cytokinins in plants
Promotes cell division (cytokinesis) Contributes to cell enlargement (in leaves) Stimulates differentiation of cells (with auxins)
High cytokinin and low auxin promotes shoot initiation in tissue culture, whereas reverse combination promotes root formation Moderate levels of both hormones promotes callus growth

Delays senescence in leaves (maintains and promotes synthesis of chlorophyll)

Cytokinins Promote Cell Division

Cytokinins Delay Leaf Senescence

Cytokinins Promote the Buds

Growth of Lateral

Plant Hormones
Ethylene
Gas at physiological temperatures
Liquid form used in horticulture (ethephon)

Site of ethylene production in plants:

Throughout plants

Actions of ethylene in plants

Inhibits root and shoot elongation by blocking transport of auxins from apical meristems Stimulates leaf curling (epinasty)

Plant Hormones
Ethylene
Actions of ethylene in plants
Induces adventitious root formation by blocking (and accumulating) auxin at tip of stem cutting Enhances flow of latex in rubber trees Enhances flowering in pineapples Stimulates abscission of leaves and fruit
Used as a harvest aid for cherries

Promotes fruit ripening (apple, tomato, citrus, coffee) Promotes senescence of flowers

Ethylene Plays a Role in Fruit Ripening

Ethylene May Inhibit or Promote Cell Expansion

Plant Hormones
Abscisic Acid (ABA)
Similar structure as gibberellins Site of abscisic acid production in plants:
All organs (e.g. roots, leaves, stems, fruits)

Actions of abscisic acid in plants

Counteracts effects of auxins and gibberellins Maintains dormancy in seeds and buds Stimulates guard cells to close stomates (to conserve water)

Abscisic Acid (ABA) Prevents Seed Germination

AddiAdditional Chemical SignaAdditional Chemical Brassinosteroidsrequired for normal growth Signalslstional Chemical Signals of most plant tissue.

Salicylic acid- signal in defense responses to plant pathogens. Jasmonates- plant growth regulation and defense. Polyamines- growth and development; mitosis and meiosis. Systemin- long-distance signal that activates chemical defenses against herbivores. Nitric oxide- signal in hormonal and defense responses.