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June 19, 2024
Gibberellins: Key in Crop Development
July 9, 2024Phytohormones are molecules produced by plants that function as chemical messengers. These hormones regulate crucial processes such as growth, defense against pathogens, and stress tolerance. There are several types of phytohormones including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. Each one plays specific roles in the development and physiology of plants.
Types of
Phytohormones
Las fitohormonas son esenciales para la coordinación del crecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas. Existen varios tipos, cada una con funciones específicas y vitales para distintos procesos fisiológicos.
Auxins
Auxins are a type of phytohormone that plays multiple roles in plant development.
- Adventitious root formation: They are crucial in the formation of new roots from non-root parts of the plant.
- Cell elongation in the stem: They stimulate cell elongation, fundamental for the plant’s longitudinal growth, regulating specific genes that control cell wall expansion.
- Apical dominance: They control apical dominance, where the main shoot inhibits the growth of lateral shoots, ensuring the plant grows primarily in height.
- Plant tropisms: They play a role in tropisms, the plant’s orientation movements in response to external stimuli such as light (phototropism) and gravity (gravitropism).
Gibberellins
Gibberellins regulate various aspects of plant growth and development.
- Internode elongation: They promote internode elongation, thus increasing stem length.
- Youth and sexuality of flowers: They influence the determination of flower youth and sexuality.
- Seed growth and germination: They are vital for seed germination, triggering signaling cascades that allow the break of dormancy and the start of seedling growth.
Cytokinins
Cytokinins participate in numerous cellular processes and plant development:
- Stem and root morphogenesis: They regulate the formation and growth of these parts in collaboration with auxins.
- Chloroplast maturation: They are involved in the maturation of chloroplasts, essential for photosynthesis and energy metabolism.
- Cell division: They promote cell division in meristematic tissues, facilitating growth and cellular differentiation.
Abscisic Acid (ABA)
Abscisic acid is critical for the plant’s response to stress and the regulation of various developmental processes.
- Growth regulation: It inhibits excessive growth processes under stress conditions, favoring resource conservation.
- Stomatal closure: It controls transpiration and gas exchange, vital for responding to water stress.
- Seed maturation and dormancy: It plays a central role in seed maturation and dormancy induction.
- Interaction with gibberellins in germination: It regulates the balance between dormancy and growth during seed germination.
Ethylene
Ethylene is a gaseous phytohormone involved in various adaptive responses and plant maturation processes.
- Ethylene production: It is produced in response to environmental and physiological signals, regulating multiple developmental processes.
- Geotropic response: It helps orient plant organs in response to gravity.
- Growth inhibition: It can act as a growth inhibitor under certain conditions, helping the plant adapt to adverse situations.
Functions of
Phytohormones
Regulation of growth and development
Phytohormones are fundamental for regulating plant growth and development. They control cell division and elongation, tissue differentiation, and morphogenesis, allowing plants to develop appropriate structures and functions in response to different environmental conditions.
Stress response
Phytohormones play a crucial role in the plant’s response to stress conditions, helping them adapt and survive in adverse environments such as drought and extreme temperatures.
- Water stress: ABA is key in the response to water stress, promoting stomatal closure to reduce water loss.
- Extreme temperatures: Auxins and gibberellins regulate growth under heat or cold conditions, adjusting the plant’s metabolism and growth rate.
Defense against pathogens
Phytohormones are essential in plant defense against pathogens, activating immune responses that protect against diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA): SA is associated with systemic acquired resistance, while JA is involved in local response against pathogens and herbivores.
Synthetic Phytohormones
and Natural Phytohormones
Synthetics
These are chemical compounds designed to mimic the action of natural phytohormones, used extensively in agriculture to regulate growth and improve crop yields.
The most important ones are:
- Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA): A synthetic analogue of auxins.
- Paclobutrazol: A plant growth regulator whose main action is to inhibit the biosynthesis of gibberellins, helping to control and limit excessive plant growth.
Natural Biostimulants
Complex mixtures of compounds derived from biological sources that promote plant growth and enhance stress resistance.
- Plant extracts: Rich in phytohormones and vitamins, used to stimulate root growth and improve nutrient absorption.
- Marine-derived phytohormones: Play a fundamental role in coordinating growth processes and plant behavior throughout their life cycles, promoting apical growth during all phenological stages.
Marine-derived Phytohormones Extracted by Ficosterra
The R&D department of Ficosterra has developed an exclusive technique for extracting auxins (IAA) from marine algae of the Laminariaceae family. This pioneering system guarantees an extremely high concentration of natural auxins (indole-3-acetic acid) from this raw material. The brown algae of the Laminariaceae family are characterized by being some of the largest algae in the world and by having a very rapid and intense growth and nutrient storage capacity.
The technology developed by Ficosterra, called Total Recovery Deployment (TRD), achieves the extraction of certain substances present in these algae cells at room temperature and without chemical elements. It uses a gaseous solvent that preserves the purity and integrity of natural phytohormones such as auxins (indole-3-acetic acid).
This technology obtains inputs with IAA concentrations higher than 10 ppm (up to 15 ppm), enabling the replacement of chemical phytohormones with biological ones while guaranteeing the same results and costs.
The TRD technology is quantified and validated by the Spanish Government’s Higher Council for Scientific Research and has earned a Seal of Excellence from the European Union. It has received €1,100,000 in funding from the Spanish Government’s Center for Development and Innovation for its development and commercialization.
Conclusion
Phytohormones play a crucial role in plant physiology and have significant applications in modern agriculture. Their study and use continue to evolve, offering new opportunities to improve crop productivity and sustainability. With advances in biotechnology and ongoing research, phytohormones will continue to be a vital tool for future agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Phytohormones
What are phytohormones and what is their main function?
Phytohormones are molecules produced by plants that function as chemical messengers. They regulate crucial processes such as growth, defense against pathogens, and stress tolerance. Each type of phytohormone plays specific roles in plant development and physiology.
What are the main types of phytohormones and their functions?
The main types of phytohormones and their functions are:
Auxins:
– Formation of adventitious roots.
– Cell elongation in the stem.
– Apical dominance.
– Tropisms (phototropism and gravitropism).
Gibberellins:
– Internode elongation.
– Youth and sexuality of flowers.
– Seed growth and germination.
Cytokinins:
– Morphogenesis of stems and roots.
– Chloroplast maturation.
– Cell division.
Abscisic Acid (ABA):
– Growth regulation.
– Stomatal closure.
– Seed maturation and dormancy.
Ethylene:
– Geotropic response.
– Growth inhibition.
– Fruit ripening.
How are phytohormones produced and distributed in plants?
Phytohormones are produced in various parts of the plant such as roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. They are distributed through the phloem and xylem, and their production is regulated by internal and external factors, allowing for a precise adaptive response.
What is the role of phytohormones in stress response?
Phytohormones play a crucial role in plant response to stress conditions, helping them adapt and survive in adverse environments. For example, abscisic acid (ABA) is key in the response to water stress, promoting stomatal closure to reduce water loss.
How do different phytohormones interact with each other?
Phytohormones interact with each other to regulate plant growth and development in a coordinated manner. These interactions can be synergistic or antagonistic. For example, auxins and cytokinins collaborate in promoting cell division, while abscisic acid and gibberellins have opposite effects on seed germination.
What are the applications of phytohormones in agriculture?
Phytohormones have several agricultural applications:
Synthetic Growth Regulators:
-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), a synthetic analogue of auxins.
-Paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis.
Natural Biostimulants:
-Plant and algae extracts, which contain cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins, used to stimulate growth and improve stress resistance.
What recent innovations exist in the study of phytohormones?
Recent research has identified new molecules that function as phytohormones and improved the understanding of their mechanisms of action. Sequencing and genomic analysis techniques have allowed the identification of specific receptors and action mechanisms. Additionally, biotechnology has facilitated the generation of transgenic plants and the use of beneficial microorganisms that produce phytohormones.
How do phytohormones impact crop improvement?
Innovations in phytohormones have led to the development of new strategies to increase food production, especially in extreme conditions. Synthetic growth regulators and natural biostimulants have optimized crop development and improved stress resistance, promoting sustainable and efficient growth.
For more information about phytohormones and their applications in agriculture, consult with agronomy experts or research specific products that contain these phytohormones.
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