What is the full form of PGR?

The full form of PGR is Plant Growth Regulators.

Understanding Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

Plant Growth Regulators, often abbreviated as PGRs, are chemical substances that play a crucial role in the development of plants. They are not nutrients but rather act as signaling molecules that can alter a plant's physiological processes. These substances are also known as biostimulants or bioinhibitors, reflecting their dual capacity to either stimulate or inhibit plant metabolism.

How PGRs Work

PGRs function within plant cells to influence the activity of specific enzymes or enzyme systems. This interaction leads to the regulation of various aspects of plant metabolism, such as:

• Cell division and expansion: Affecting how plants grow and develop in size.
• Flowering and fruiting: Controlling the reproductive cycles of plants.
• Leaf senescence and abscission: Influencing leaf aging and shedding.
• Response to environmental stresses: Helping plants adapt to changes in their environment.

Types of PGRs

Plant Growth Regulators can be broadly classified into several categories, each with distinct functions:

1. Auxins: Promote cell elongation and are involved in apical dominance.
2. Gibberellins: Stimulate stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering.
3. Cytokinins: Promote cell division and delay senescence.
4. Abscisic acid (ABA): Involved in stress responses and dormancy.
5. Ethylene: Promotes fruit ripening and senescence.

Practical Applications of PGRs

PGRs have numerous applications in agriculture and horticulture:

• Enhancing crop yield: By promoting growth and productivity.
• Controlling plant size and shape: For aesthetic or practical reasons.
• Improving fruit quality: By influencing ripening and other characteristics.
• Reducing post-harvest losses: By preventing spoilage and decay.