GIBBERELINS Meaning and
Definition
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Gibberellins refer to a group of plant hormones that play a crucial role in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. These hormones are classified as diterpenoids and are naturally produced by plants to control processes such as stem elongation, seed germination, leaf and fruit maturation, flowering, and fruit development.
Gibberellins are primarily synthesized in young growing tissues like shoot apices, roots, and developing seeds. They are transported throughout the plant via the vascular system or through diffusion. Upon reaching their target cells, gibberellins interact with specific receptors in the nucleus, leading to changes in gene expression and subsequent physiological responses.
One of the most well-known effects of gibberellins is their ability to stimulate stem elongation. They promote cell division and cell elongation, resulting in increased height growth in plants. Additionally, gibberellins can overcome dormancy in seeds, leading to their germination by breaking down barriers that inhibit growth.
Gibberellins also have an impact on flowering and fruiting. They can regulate flowering time, influence flower development, and aid in the formation of fruits by promoting cell division and enlargement.
These plant hormones have extensive agricultural applications due to their ability to induce desirable changes in plant growth. They are used to enhance crop productivity, improve fruit size, increase seed yield, modify plant architecture, delay senescence, or regulate flowering time. Gibberellins are commercially produced and can be applied exogenously to crops to achieve desired results in horticulture and agriculture.
Etymology of GIBBERELINS
The word "gibberelins" is derived from the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, which was originally isolated in Japan from diseased rice plants. In 1938, the Japanese scientist Teijiro Yabuta discovered that this particular fungus was responsible for causing excessive elongation of rice stems, a phenomenon known as "foolish seedling disease".
Yabuta named the substance produced by the fungus as "gibberellin", which was derived from the name "Gibberella" and the suffix "-in" to denote a hormone-like substance. The stem "gibberel-" was taken from the scientific name of the fungus, Gibberella. Over time, researchers identified various other related compounds with similar biological activities, and the term "gibberelins" emerged to encompass this group of plant hormones.
