Gibberellins in plant growth
- Gibberellins were first isolated from the culture of a fungus Gibberella fujikuori.
- Gibberellins has a significant effect on stem elongation.
- It also increases the leaf blade area. This is due to stimulation of cell division and cell elongation in both leaves and stem.
- When applied as a spray on plants, it increases the size of the fruits like grapes.
- Dwarf and rosette plants like cabbage and dwarf pea plants grow taller after treatment with gibberellins.
- Gibberellins along with auxins promote cell elongation and leaf expansion.
- These substances are also known to induce enzymes like amylase, protease, lipase etc., at the on set of seed germination and break the seed dormancy.
- These substances are used for fruit setting and also for growing seedless fruits.
- Parthenocarpy (seedless fruits) is induced in fruits like apple and pear with spray of gibberellins.
- In brewing industry, gibberellin is used to stimulate amylase activity in barley seeds. This is known to enhance malting of barley grains.