Effects of gibberellins and Promalin on the growth and development of fruit crops: A review

Abstract

Gibberellins are the organic compounds which tend to regulate several metabolic processes in the plants. They play an important role in the enhancement of efficiency of fruit crops in terms of growth, quality and yield. GAs are naturally synthesized by the higher plants but in insufficient amounts. Therefore, the exogenous applications of GA at different concentrations and at different stages of growth drastically increase the seed germination, stem elongation, shoot initiation, flower induction, flower inhibition, fruit set, fruit development and modify several other vital processes in the fruit crops. Similarly, Promalin is a mixture of two naturally occurring plant growth regulators: gibberellic acid 4 and 7 (GA₄+₇), which causes cell enlargement and elongation, and 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) which promotes cell division. Promalin has been reported very effective especially in temperate fruit crops like apple, pear, cherry etc. where it has proven beneficial for increased fruit set.