Springer Plant Growth Regulators: Agricultural Uses

Chemicals that control plant growth have long been treated like a poor re lation of the herbicides yet in one manner of thinking, herbicides them selves are but one facet of the entire picture of plant growth regulation - a major fraction, to be sure, economically. It is now time to recognize that plant growth regulators should occupy an increasingly important role in agriculture. Sufficient numbers of uses having considerable economic re turn have already become established: (a) to increase the latex flow in the rubber trees; (b) to ripen sugarcane; (c) to control sprouting in onions and potatoes; (d) to shorten and strengthen wheat stems to prevent lodging; (e) to prevent premature deterioration; and (f) to permit control of timing for maximum utilization of crops. In addition, as energy becomes more difficult and costly to obtain, plant growth regulators will play an increasingly important role in energy conser vation as a result of increased yields due to their use . . There are a number of ways to present to the reader the role and effec tiveness of plant growth regulators. The one chosen here is to emphasize the effects on plant functions such as the induction of roots, the control of flowering, the control of sex, and the control of aging. Little emphasis has been placed on the basic research that has served as a background for the successes and potential successes discussed herein. N or is much attention paid to the mode of action of the various regulators.