Name: Vernalisation- an overview
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 7 min 50 s
Description: Vernalisation is the phenomenon of cold exposure that provides some plants with the ability to flower in the best season. Let’s learn about these cold memori...

Question

Discuss the physiological effects of gibberellins in plants.

Accepted Answer

Gibberellin is a naturally occurring plant growth hormone that is found in all parts of higher plants including shoots, roots, flower, etc. It regulates certain physiological functions in plants which are explained as follows:
i) Seed germination: Certain light-sensitive seeds show poor germination in dark. Germination starts vigorously if these seeds are exposed to light. This requirement of light is overcome if the seeds are treated with gibberellin in dark.

ii) Stem and leaf growth: Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation and other aerial parts.
iii) Bolting: Gibberellins induce stem elongation in rosette plants like cabbage. In rosette plants, internodal growth gets reduced and leaves develop profusely. In these plants, just prior to the reproductive phase, the internodes elongate causing a marked increase in stem height. This is called bolting. It can be induced by the application of gibberellins.
iv) Parthenocarpy: The growth of fruit and the formation of parthenocarpic fruits can be induced by gibberellin treatment. In many cases, where auxins have failed to induce parthenocarpy, the gibberellins have proven to be successful.

v) Seed germination: Gibberellins are known to break seed dormancy. Seeds that are light-dependent for their germination, can be made to germinate by the application of gibberellins in dark.
vi) Bud dormancy: Application of gibberellins help in breaking the bud dormancy though the external environmental conditions are not favourable.
vii) Elongation of internodes: Gibberellins help in the elongation of internodes does help in overcoming genetic dwarfism.

Discuss the physiological effects of gibberellins in plants.

Important Questions on Plant Growth and Development

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