Farming today is not only about putting seeds in soil and just waiting for crops to grow. Now it is more about knowing the science behind plant growth and development. Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) is one such important tool for farmers. If you are in farming or connected with agriculture, you must have listened to this word many times. But what exactly Plant Growth Regulators are, and how do they play an important role in modern farming?
What are Plant Growth Regulators?
Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) are natural or synthetic compounds which affect the growth and development of plants. These are not fertilizers, they don’t provide nutrients. Instead, they regulate plant processes like cell division, root initiation, flowering, fruit development, seed germination and even plant height. These are like traffic controllers in a busy city, helping different activities to happen at the right time and right way.
Different plants need different types of growth regulation at different stages. For example, some crops may require early flowering, some need to reduce vegetative growth, some need fruit setting to be improved and increased fruit size. That’s where various types of PGRs are used depending on the need.
How Plant Growth Regulators Work?
PGRs work by mimicking the natural plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid. These hormones are already present in plants but in very small amounts. When we apply PGR externally, we are basically triggering or suppressing certain responses that the plant needs.
Let’s take an example. Suppose your crop is too leafy and growing very tall, but not giving many fruits. That’s because plants are putting too much energy in vegetative growth. A PGR can reduce this energy going into height and instead divert it to flowering and fruiting.
Types of Plant Growth Regulator
There are many types of PGR available, and Peptech Biosciences have a special range which is widely used in various crops. Here’s a small table showing our products and their main uses:
| Technical Name | Function | Suitable For |
| Paclobutrazol | Reduces internode length, control height, promotes flowering | Mango, Apple, Cotton, Pigeon Pea |
| Gibberellic Acid (GA3) | Promotes seed germination, flowering, fruit enlargement | Grapes, Paddy, Sugarcane |
| Triacontanol | Increases photosynthesis, root growth, flowering and yield | Cotton, Vegetables, Pulses |
| Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) | Cell division promoter, increases fruit size and uniformity | Kiwi, Grapes, Melons, Berries |
| Ethephon | Induces flowering, fruit ripening, reduces lodging | Rubber, Pineapple, Tomato, Cotton, Banana |
Paclobutrazol
This is one of the most powerful PGR used to control excessive vegetative growth. It works by blocking gibberellin biosynthesis, which is responsible for internode elongation. When applied to trees like mango, it reduces height growth and increases flowering and fruiting. In cotton, it can help maintain compact plant shape and uniform boll formation. Farmers usually apply it during the active growth phase.
Gibberellic Acid (GA3)
This is a naturally occurring hormone which is responsible for seed germination, breaking dormancy, stem elongation, and fruit development. When sprayed externally, it helps in improving the fruit set and increasing the size. GA3 is widely used in grapes for better bunch elongation, in sugarcane to boost early growth, and in paddy for seedling elongation. It is safe and highly effective when used in correct dosage.
Triacontanol
Triacontanol is a fatty alcohol that works as a growth stimulant. It improves the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight by increasing chlorophyll content. This means more photosynthesis and more energy. It also stimulates enzyme activity, which leads to better root development and flowering. Farmers notice stronger plant growth, greener leaves, and higher yield when Triacontanol is used. It is useful in almost every crop, especially cotton and pulses.
Forchlorfenuron (CPPU)
It is a cytokinin-like synthetic compound that promotes cell division. It helps in improving fruit size, shape and uniform maturity. Furthermore, it is very commonly used in table grapes, kiwi and watermelons. One big advantage of CPPU is that it does not affect the taste of fruits but improves their commercial appearance. This makes fruits more marketable and farmers get better prices.
Ethephon
Ethephon is a unique PGR that releases ethylene inside the plant after absorption. Ethylene is a hormone that plays a role in flowering, fruit ripening and even leaf fall. When applied at the right stage, it induces early flowering in some crops. It is also used in cotton to open bolls uniformly. In pineapple, it is used to force flowering. Timing is very important in Ethephon application because early or late spray can lead to crop loss.
Why Should Farmers Use PGRs?
There are several benefits of using Plant Growth Regulator, some of them are:
- Helps control unwanted vegetative growth
- Improves flowering and fruiting
- Makes plants ready for next stage at right time
- Saves cost by improving nutrient use efficiency
- Makes crop management easier
PGRs should be used carefully. Overuse or wrong timing can harm the crop instead of benefiting. Always follow label instructions or consult experts before using PGR.
Conclusion
Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) is not a magic solution, but it is definitely a smart tool. When used wisely and timely, it can bring big improvements in crop performance. Our product range of Paclobutrazol, Gibberellic Acid, Triacontanol, CPPU and Ethephon are designed to meet different needs of modern farming. Each product has its own speciality and should be used according to crop and stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)