Study reveals plants 'know' when to grow

A study has revealed that plants ‘know’ when to grow, opening up opportunities for developing better cultivated crops. The findings, published in the journal Development, uncover how plants meticulously control the formation of leaves and other organs through a precise timing system involving two key hormones. The researchers found that the plant hormone auxin initially slows down the work of another hormone, gibberellin, allowing new structures to form in the right locations. Subsequently, auxin activates gibberellin, which then triggers rapid growth and enlargement. Using tomato plants, the study showed that changes in the balance between these two hormones affect the number and size of leaves. The researchers said this mechanism likely also applies to the formation of flowers, roots, and other plant parts, potentially helping scientists develop cultivated crops with more optimal growth, higher yields, and better resilience.