Plant Hormone Regulation of Growth and Yield

Plant hormones—also known as phytohormones—form an integrated signalling network that orchestrates virtually every aspect of plant growth, development and yield formation. Auxins drive cell elongation and differential growth, cytokinins promote cell division and shoot initiation, gibberellins stimulate stem elongation, seed germination and fruit set, while abscisic acid mediates stress responses and seed dormancy. Ethylene regulates ripening and senescence, and more recently identified compounds such as brassinosteroids and strigolactones have emerged as key modulators of vascular differentiation and shoot–root architecture. These hormones interact through signal transduction cascades and gene regulatory circuits, generating fine-tuned source–sink dynamics that determine biomass allocation between roots, leaves and reproductive organs. Exogenous applications and genetic manipulation of hormone biosynthesis and perception have demonstrated significant gains in crop productivity, resilience to abiotic stress and resource-use efficiency. Understanding the cross-talk among hormone pathways remains critical for breeding and agronomic practices aimed at secure and sustainable global food production.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have examined how targeted combinations of fruit thinning and hormonal sprays can improve both yield and nutritional quality. In one report, controlled fruit pruning at early developmental stages, coupled with precise foliar applications of auxin and gibberellic acid, led to marked increases in fruit weight, flesh thickness and vitamin C content in bell pepper. Optimal treatments enhanced levels of carotenoids and chlorophyll, accelerated ripening uniformity and improved flavour attributes. These findings illustrate how integrating cultural practices with hormone management can sharpen resource allocation to reproductive tissues and enhance overall crop performance.

Plant Hormone Regulation of Growth and Yield publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in plant hormone regulation of growth and yield across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytohormone: Endogenous signalling molecule that regulates plant growth, development and stress responses.

Auxin: Class of hormones that promote cell elongation, apical dominance and vascular differentiation.

Gibberellin: Hormone family that stimulates stem elongation, seed germination and fruit development.

Cytokinin: Hormone group that induces cell division, shoot initiation and delay of senescence.

Abscisic acid: Stress hormone that mediates stomatal closure, seed dormancy and adaptation to drought.

Foliar application: Method of delivering nutrients or hormones directly onto leaf surfaces for rapid uptake.

References

1. Automated Imaging to Evaluate the Exogenous Gibberellin (Ga3) Impact on Seedlings from Salt-Stressed Lettuce Seeds. Sensors (2024).
2. Interacting effects of phytohormones and fruit pruning on the morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of bell pepper. Scientific Reports (2024).
3. Effect of Natural Phytohormones on Growth, Nutritional Status, and Yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) and N Availability in Sandy-Loam Soil of Sub-Tropics. Soil Systems (2023).
4. Water relations and yield characteristics of mungbean as influenced by foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA3). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2023).