Strong Notes on Plant Growth and Development
Growth
- Definition: Irreversible increase in size, mass, and complexity.
- Types:
- Primary growth (elongation of plant organs)
- Secondary growth (increase in stem and root diameter)
- Factors influencing growth:
- Genetics
- Environmental factors (light, temperature, water, nutrients)
- Hormones (e.g., auxins, gibberellins)
Development
- Definition: Coordinated changes in structure, function, and form that lead to the differentiation of specialized tissues and organs.
- Stages of development:
- Embryonic development
- Seedling development
- Vegetative growth
- Reproductive growth
- Senescence
Hormonal Regulation
- Auxins: Promote cell elongation and inhibit lateral branching.
- Gibberellins: Induce stem elongation, fruit growth, and seed germination.
- Cytokinins: Stimulate cell division and delay senescence.
- Abscisic acid: Regulates water loss, seed dormancy, and bud dormancy.
- Ethylene: Promotes fruit ripening, senescence, and stress responses.
Environmental Factors
- Light: Photosynthesis, phototropism, flowering.
- Temperature: Enzyme activity, development timing, seed germination.
- Water: Cell growth, turgidity, metabolic processes.
- Nutrients: Essential for plant growth and development (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
Genetic Control
- Genes: Encode proteins involved in growth and development.
- Gene expression: Regulation of gene activity influences various aspects of plant growth and development.
- Environmental cues: Interact with genetic factors to control development (e.g., light-dependent seed germination).
Other Factors
- Pathogens: Can inhibit plant growth and development.
- Competition: For resources can influence growth and branching patterns.
- Gravity: Geotropism (root growth towards gravity) and phototropism (shoot growth towards light).
Importance of Plant Growth and Development
- Provides food, shelter, and medicine for humans.
- Regulates the environment (e.g., oxygen production, carbon dioxide absorption).
- Has aesthetic and cultural value.