Question

What is the role of ethylene in plant growth.

Answer 1

Ethylene:

1. Ethylene acts as a growth promoter as well as an inhibitor.
2. It occurs in gaseous form.
3. It is synthesized in the ripening fruits and tissues undergoing senescence.
4. It regulates many physiological processes and is one of the most widely used hormones in agriculture.

Functions

1. It hastens the ripening of fruits.
2. Controls epinasty of leaves.
3. Breaks seed and bud dormancy.
4. Stimulates rapid elongation of petioles and internodes.
5. Promotes senescence and abscission of leaves and flowers.
6. Induces root growth and root hair formation thereby increasing the absorption surface.
7. Stimulates femaleness in monoecious plants.
8. Apical hook formation in dicot seedlings.