SB6g Uses of Plant Hormones

Question 1

Why use auxins in weedkillers and rooting powders?

Answer 1

they kill broad leaf plants such as dandelions but do not effect wheat/grass crops

Question 2

Why use gibberellins in germination, fruit and flower formation?

Answer 2

gibberellins naturally start germination, so farmers can make seeds germinate in conditions that are adverse (e.g. cold weather)

Question 3

What is photoperiodism?

Answer 3

when a plant responds to the number of daylight hours or temperature to start to grow. Flower growers use giberellins to overcome this

Question 4

What else are gibberellins used for?

Answer 4

can be sprayed to make fruit bigger or without seeds

Question 5

Why is ethene used to ripen fruits?

Answer 5

ethene ripens fruits quickly, so fruits such as bananas can be picked unripe and ripened during transport using ethene gas. This is useful because it means fruits can last longer in stores as they have only just ripened