gibberelliinit

Gibberellins are a class of plant hormones that play a crucial role in various aspects of plant growth and development. Discovered in the 1930s by Japanese scientists studying rice blast disease, these compounds were found to be produced by the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi. The term "gibberellins" is now used to refer to this entire group of naturally occurring plant hormones, although the initial discovery was made in a fungal context.

These hormones are diterpenoid compounds, meaning they are synthesized from a precursor molecule called mevalonic acid. Gibberellins influence a wide range of physiological processes in plants. They are particularly known for their ability to promote stem elongation, a process that can be dramatically enhanced by gibberellin application. They also play significant roles in seed germination, breaking dormancy in many species. Furthermore, gibberellins are involved in the transition from vegetative growth to flowering, and in the development of fruits. The specific effects and their intensity can vary depending on the plant species and the particular type of gibberellin. There are many different forms of gibberellins, often designated as GA1, GA2, and so on.