Plant Hormones

Plant hormones, or phytohormones, are signaling molecules that orchestrate a plant's growth, development, and response to environmental changes. The primary classes of hormones include auxins, which promote root development; gibberellins, which stimulate stem elongation; cytokinins, which encourage cell division; abscisic acid, which regulates stress responses; and ethylene, which influences fruit ripening. Each hormone works through distinct pathways and often in tandem with others to control complex processes such as flowering, leaf drop, and response to drought. By understanding and manipulating these hormone pathways, scientists can develop crops with faster growth, increased resilience, and higher yields, making hormones a key focus in advancing agricultural productivity and resilience.