Why is Plant Hormone Balance so Important?
Plant hormones affect virtually all aspects of plant growth. Understanding how hormones work and how they can be manipulated provides the ability to overcome many of the stress factors limiting plants’ natural growth cycles and genetic expression. Plant hormones are present in different levels at different development stages in the life cycle of the plant. They must be available in sufficient quantities throughout the life cycle of the plant to maximize genetic expression.
The processes described in the various plant growth stages may be going on simultaneously in different parts of the plant, particularly in continuous, multiple-fruiting or in determinant crops. Plant hormones must be constantly synthesized and regulated by the root tip cells of the plant. Maintaining and prolonging healthy root tip growth is critical to the optimal hormone balance needed for maximum genetic expression.
Plant Hormone Life Cycles
During Germination & Establishment:
Abscisic Acid (ABA). – keeps the seed dormant before going into the ground.
Gibberellic Acid (GA) – awakens the seed from its dormant state.
Cytokinin – produced in the root tips and promotes shoot development.
Auxin – produced in the shoot and promotes root development.
During Vegetative Growth:
Gibberellic Acid (GA) – promotes elongation helping to develop a taller plant.
Cytokinin – promotes lateral development. Both stem strength and branching.
During Flowering Reproductive:
Growth Hormones (Gibberellic Acid, Cytokinin, & Auxin) – all needed for seed development and sizing.
Ethylene – triggers ripening
During Maturity:
Growth Hormones (Gibberellic Acid, Cytokinin, & Auxin) – levels are depleted.
ABA – needed for crop senescence and seed dormancy,
Managing hormone balance at all stages of development is extremely important. Any imbalances within your plant hormones can have devastating effects on your overall crop yield.
Adding Plant Growth Regulating products such as Stoller’s Fortified Stimulate® Yield Enhancer (Cytokinin, Auxin – IAA & IBA & Gibberellic Acid) or Stoller’s X-Cyte™ (Cytokinin) to your crop program will help regulate your hormone balance throughout the full season to insure your crops reach it’s full genetic potential.
