Question

Which of the following effects of auxin is of wide application?

• A. Induction of fruit development
• B. Induction of root initiation
• C. Prevention of abscission
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

Auxins have been used extensively in agricultural and horticultural practices. They help to initiate rooting in stem cuttings, an application widely used for plant propagation. Auxins promote flowering e.g., in pineapples. They help to prevent fruit and leaf drop at early stages but promote the abscission of older mature leaves and fruits.

In most higher plants, the growing apical bud inhibits the growth of the lateral (axillary) buds, a phenomenon called as apical dominance. Removal of shoot tips (decapitation) usually results in the growth of lateral buds. It is widely applied in tea plantations, hedge-making.

Auxins also induce parthenocarpy, e.g., in tomatoes. They are widely used as herbicides like 2, 4-D, widely used to kill dicotyledonous weeds, does not affect mature monocotyledonous plants. It is used to prepare weed-free lawns by gardeners. Auxin also controls xylem differentiation and helps in cell division.