Plant Growth Regulator (PGR)

A Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) is a natural or synthetic chemical substance used to influence and regulate the growth and development of plants. PGRs act on specific physiological processes at very low concentrations, enabling targeted effects such as promoting or inhibiting growth, inducing flowering, delaying senescence, or enhancing stress tolerance.

Types of PGRs:

Natural PGRs:

• Produced naturally by plants (plant hormones or phytohormones).
• Examples: Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, and Abscisic Acid.

Synthetic PGRs:

• Artificially manufactured to mimic or inhibit the effects of natural plant hormones.
• Examples: Ethephon (ethylene-releasing), 2,4-D (auxin-like herbicide).

Benefits:

• Increases crop productivity and quality.
• Helps manage plant responses to environmental stresses.
• Reduces labor-intensive practices like pruning or thinning.