loppukasvu

Loppukasvu refers to the growth that occurs in plants after the main vegetative growth period has concluded. This phase is often characterized by a shift in the plant's resources from leaf and stem development to reproductive structures such as flowers, fruits, and seeds. For many annual plants, loppukasvu is their final stage of life, culminating in seed production before senescence. In perennial plants, loppukasvu represents a phase of maturation of existing tissues or the development of overwintering structures. Environmental factors like temperature, light duration, and nutrient availability play a crucial role in regulating the timing and extent of loppukasvu. For example, decreasing day length or cooler temperatures can trigger the transition into this phase in many species. The energy reserves accumulated during earlier growth stages are vital for supporting the metabolic demands of flower and fruit development during loppukasvu. Understanding loppukasvu is important in agriculture for optimizing crop yields and in horticulture for managing plant health and aesthetics. It is a critical period for determining the reproductive success of a plant.