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billdock
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Can someone please describe the different growth strategies that plants use in dark and light, and explain why these are important at different stages of growth in natural environments.
billdock said:What i ment was. The whole incident of plants growing say in a dark cupboard or a cave, where they receive little to no light at all while growing.
Plants require light to enable growth. As Alex mentions, the stems will elongate between their nodes (etoliate) in response to low/no light condition and leaves will become blanched. Sometimes this is done on purpose, as in tying the top leaves over the blossom of cauliflower to obtain a blanched (white) vegetable. Today there are self-blanching varieties that no longer require this labor intensive step.billdock said:What i ment was. The whole incident of plants growing say in a dark cupboard or a cave, where they receive little to no light at all while growing.
The purpose of regulating plant growth is to ensure that plants achieve optimal growth and development for their specific species and environment. This involves controlling various factors such as nutrient availability, water supply, and hormone levels to promote healthy growth and reproduction.
Environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and soil quality can greatly influence plant growth. For example, plants need adequate sunlight for photosynthesis and warm temperatures for optimal enzyme activity. Changes in these factors can impact the rate of growth, as well as the size and shape of the plant.
Plants produce hormones, such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, to control various aspects of growth and development. These hormones can affect cell division, elongation, and differentiation, as well as control responses to environmental stimuli. By regulating hormone levels, plants can adjust their growth to adapt to changing conditions.
Humans can regulate plant growth by manipulating environmental factors and providing plants with essential nutrients and hormones. For example, farmers use fertilizers to provide plants with necessary nutrients for growth, while horticulturists can use pruning techniques to control the size and shape of plants. Genetic engineering also allows for the manipulation of plant hormones to produce desired traits.
Some common methods of regulating plant growth include pruning, fertilization, irrigation, and the use of growth regulators. Pruning involves removing parts of a plant to control its size and shape, while fertilization provides plants with essential nutrients for growth. Irrigation ensures plants have enough water to support their growth, and growth regulators can be used to manipulate hormone levels and promote desired growth patterns.