Role of Auxin in vegetative growth, flowering, yield and fruit quality of Horticultural crops - A review
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Abstract
Auxin is one of the well-known plant hormone used extensively in Agriculture and Horticulture to manipulate various vegetative and reproductive growth. Indole Acetic acid (IAA) is the only naturally occurring Auxin, whereas 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) are common synthetic analog of natural Auxin. In Horticulture different forms of Auxin are predominantly used for root induction in explants and cuttings, flower formation and sex modification, fruit setting, fruit thinning, control fruit drop, delay senescence and improve fruit quality in term of taste, flavor and firmness. Despite the importance of Auxin in growth and development its use is still limited as compare to synthetic fertilizers and other growth promoting compounds. In this review focus has been given to the role of Auxin from vegetative growth to the final fruit quality. This review may provide useful information to the growers to maximize the production by overcoming problems related to growth, flowering, yield and quality of Horticultural crops.
Keywords: Auxin; Vegetative growth; Flowering; Yield; Fruit quality