Plant Growth Hormones: Concept, Types and Their Role in Field Crop Production

Abstract

This article explains the concept of plant growth hormones (phytohormones), their types, biosynthesis pathways, mechanisms of action, and applications in field crop production. Key hormones discussed include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene, along with newer regulators like jasmonates, salicylates, brassinosteroids, peptide hormones, and small RNAs. The article details how hormones influence plant development, yield, grain quality, stress tolerance, and commercial applications in agriculture, horticulture, tissue culture, fruit set, herbicides, sugarcane growth, and malting barley.