Uses of hormones

• What are the uses of Auxin?

  • Weed killers: only affects broad leafed plants as many leaves are broad leafed, increase in auxin causes cells to grow too rapidly and the weed dies
  • Rooting powders: Used to clone plants with desirable features. Cutting is taken from original plant auxin is applied to it and it is placed in the ground. Roots grow and new plants begin to grow very quickly
  • Promote growth in tissue culture: Cells from plant are taken and added into growth medium with nutrients such as auxin added. The cells begin to form roots and shoots
• What are the uses of the ethene hormone?

  • Used to trigger foods to ripen just before they are sold
  • Controls cell division and stimulates enzymes which control ripening
  • This reduces wastage as more fruit is suitable to be sold and doesn't ripen too early
• What is the use of Gibberellins?

  • Ending seed dormancy: Used in brewing industry to increase germination rate of barley seeds and make malt
  • Promotes flowering: Instead of waiting for the right season/temp this hormone can be used
  • Increase fruit size: Seeds in fruit produce Gibberellins. This means seedless fruit is often smaller, they can be sprayed with Gibberellins to increase their size