factors which influence plant growth environment...factors which influence plant growth...

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Factors which influence plant growth Environment Irradiation, Day-length, Temperature, Water availability, Gases Soil, Nutrients Plant Hormones

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Factors which influence plant growth

• Environment

– Irradiation, Day-length,

Temperature, Water availability,

Gases

– Soil, Nutrients

• Plant Hormones

Light Intensity

Light Quality

Photomorphogenesis

Photoperiodism

• Day-length response in plants.

• Can affect:

– Flowering

– Bud dormancy in woody plants

– Formation of vegetables (i.e. storage organs like

rutabaga, potato, etc.)

• Atmospheric gasses are composed of

78% nitrogen (N2) = 780,000 ppm.

• 21% oxygen (O2) = 210,000 ppm.

• 0.035% carbon dioxide (CO2) = 350

ppm.

Gases

USA Temperature Change

1990 2006

2 3

4

5

6

7

9

10

1

Precipitation and Temperature Moscow, Idaho

Temperature (o C)

Temperature

• All plants have a minimum temperature

below which there is no plant growth –

often below 4oC (39oF).

• Plants also have a maximum

temperature limit whereby plants cease

to function – usually no higher than

50oC (122oF).

Temperature

• Low temperature damage is either chill

injury or freeze injury depending on cold

severity.

• Windmills in orchards and vineyards can

be used to mix air to prevent chill

damage.

• Low temperature damage can also be

prevented using (snow) mulches,

covering with plastics, and cold frames.

Beneficial Cold Treatment

• Stratification

• Vernilization

• Dormancy breaking

Growth

Hormones

• Auxins

• Cytokinins

• Gibberellins

• Ethylene

• Abscisic acid

• Brassinosteroids

• Jasmonic acid

Auxins

•The term auxin is derived from the Greek word

‘auxein’ which means to grow.

• Compounds are generally considered auxins if they

can be characterized by their ability to induce cell

elongation in stems and otherwise resemble

indoleacetic acid (the first auxin isolated) in

physiological activity.

•Auxins usually affect other processes in addition to

cell elongation of stem cells but this characteristic is

considered critical of all auxins and thus "helps"

define the hormone.

• Stimulates cell elongation.

• Mediates the tropistic response of

bending in response to gravity and

light.

Auxins

Indol-3-acetic acid - IAA

Phototropism

Auxin

• Charles Darwin was one of the first to examine

phototropism in plants.

• Studies showed that growth towards light is caused by

elongation of the cells at the side that is shielded from

the light.

• The phototropic reaction does not happen if the

coleoptile’s tip is removed, though it can be induced

again by the replacement of the tip. This indicates the

existence of a substance that is spread from tip to

bottom and that causes the elongation.

Phototropism

Gravatropism Gravity causes localized

expression of auxin in

plant roots. Plants

grown on an angled

show increased

accumulation of growth-

promoting auxin on the

lower side of the root

(green staining). Plant

roots will grow in the

direction of increased

auxin expression

Gravatropism

Auxin No auxin

Normal Fruit

(seed)

Development

Seed

Removed

Seed

Removed

auxin applied

Auxins

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

• 2,4-D became the first successful selective

herbicide and allowed for greatly enhanced weed

control in cereal crops.

• 2,4-D was developed in Britain during World War

II to increase crop yields for a nation at war.

• 2,4-D is a synthetic auxin. It is absorbed through the

leaves and is translocated to the meristems of the

plant. Uncontrolled, unsustainable growth ensues

causing stem curl-over, leaf withering, and eventual

plant death.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

Cytokinins

•Cytokinins are compounds with a structure

resembling adenine which promote cell

division and have other similar functions to

kinetin.

•Kinetin was the first cytokinin discovered and

so named because of the compounds ability to

promote cytokinesis (cell division).

•The most common form of naturally occurring

cytokinin in plants today is called zeatin which

was isolated from corn (Zea mays).

Cytokinins

•Cytokinin is generally found in higher

concentrations in meristematic regions and

growing tissues.

•They are believed to be synthesized in the roots

and translocated via the xylem to shoots.

Zeatin

Cytokinin

• Stimulates cell division.

• Stimulates morphogenesis (shoot

initiation/bud formation) in tissue

culture.

• Stimulates the growth of lateral

buds-release of apical dominance.

A transgenic tobacco plant (right) with a high content of

cytokinin shows fewer signs of senescence compared to a

wild type plant (left) in which all the lower leaves are dead.

The ratio of auxin to cytokinin in a

tissue dictates growth of axillary

meristems:

• High auxin / Low cytokinins =

meristem remains dormant;

• Low auxin / High cytokinins =

meristem starts to under go cell

division and starts to grow.

Auxin Concentration

0.0 0.03 0.18 3.0

Auxin:Cytokinin Association

Gibberellins

• Unlike the classification of auxins which are

classified on the basis of function, gibberellins

are classified on the basis of structure as well

as function.

• The gibberellins are named GA1....GAn in

order of discovery. Gibberellic acid, which was

the first gibberellin to be structurally

characterised , is GA3. There are currently 136

GA’s identified from plants, fungi and bacteria.

Giberellic acid

• Stimulate stem elongation by stimulating cell

division and elongation.

• Stimulates bolting/flowering in response to

long days.

• Breaks seed dormancy in some plants which

require stratification or light to induce

germination.

GA1

GA3 Control

Giberellic acid

•Stimulates enzyme production (α-amylase)

in germinating cereal grains for

mobilization of seed reserves.

•Induces maleness in dioecious flowers (sex

expression).

•Can cause parthenocarpic (seedless) fruit

development.

•Can delay senescence in leaves and citrus

fruits.

Gibberellins Inhibitors

Abscisic Acid

• Stimulates the closure of stomata (water stress

brings about an increase ).

• Inhibits shoot growth but will not have as

much affect on roots or may even promote

growth of roots.

• Induces seeds to synthesize storage proteins.

ABA

Ethylene H2C=CH2

• Ethylene, unlike the rest of the plant hormone

compounds is a gaseous hormone.

• Like abscisic acid, it is the only member of its

class.

• Of all the known plant growth substance,

ethylene has the simplest structure. It is

produced in all higher plants and is usually

associated with fruit ripening.

Ethylene

• Ethylene has been used in practice since the

ancient Egyptians, who would gas figs in order

to stimulate ripening.

• The ancient Chinese would burn incense in

closed rooms to enhance the ripening of pears.

• In London in 1864, gas leaks from street lights

showed stunting of growth, twisting of plants,

and abnormal thickening of stems

Harvest-aids are used to manipulate the concentrations

of the plant hormones auxin and ethylene so all the

leaves are dropped at approximately the same time

Ethylene

Regulate cell expansion and are one of the most important hormones that regulate stature.

Without them, plants are tiny dwarves, with reduced vasculature and roots, and are infertile.

They also regulate senescence or aging.

Brassinosteroids

The dx mutant of tomato is severely dwarfed

due to brassinosteroid deficiency.

However the fruits develop normally.

• Major functions is in regulating plant growth including growth inhibition, senescence, and leaf abscission.

• It has an important role in response to wounding of plants plant resistance.

• When plants are attacked by insects, they respond by releasing Jasmonic acid, which inhibits the insects' ability to digest protein.

• It is also responsible for tuber formation in potatoes, yams, and onions.

Jasmonic Acid

Jasmonic Acid

Jasmonate ZIM-domain

Protein Degradation

• Auxins: stimulates cell elongation, mediates tropism.

• Cytokinins: stimulates cell division, in ratio with

auxins regulate meristematic cell division.

• Gibberellins: breaks seed dormancy.

• Abscisic acid: stimulates the closure of stomata.

• Ethylene: is associated with fruit ripening.

• Brassinosteroids: regulate plant stature (height).

• Jasmonic acid: give a response to wounding of plants

and associated with pest resistance.

Growth Hormones

Photosynthesis: Conversion of Solar

Energy to Chemical Energy by Plants