Plant growth regulators and hormones have been popular for their amazing contribution to the horticultural industry. They’re commonly used to induce plant growth and better crop yield. You can use these solutions to achieve optimal plant growth in your farm, greenhouse, or garden.
One of the most popular plant growth regulators available today is Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), which is a plant hormone from the auxin class. Let us discuss its nature, uses, and applications.
About IAA
Indole acetic acid is derived from the aromatic heterocyclic organic compound known as indole. It’s produced in the bud of young leaves with the help of a few microbes. It’s a colorless compound that can easily be dissolved in polar organic solvents.
In plants, IAA’s main role is in the development of roots and shoots. It moves from one area of the plant to another by an appointed importer, and transport proteins. As it travels between cells, IAA lowers the pH and lowers the cell wall allowing water to get into the cell. This gives the plants the ability to bend and grow in the direction of the light.
While IAA works along with other plant hormones like those offered by Power Grown to promote growth, it can also work the other way. It’s important to emphasize that the levels of auxin in plants differ for every species and it’s normally controlled by the plant itself. Such regulation allows a plant to generate a different, pattern-like system that will result in its development. This growth reaches out to the plant’s organs and its function.
What Are the Functions of IAA?
Indole acetic acid is primarily used in horticulture to induce root growth. It’s also used commercially on farms, greenhouses, or gardens to achieve optimal plant growth and improve the crop yield. It’s what you need when you want to grow your plants in a natural way.
Other main functions of IAA for plant life:
● Boosts the growth of plants and roots
● Increases the growing season of tuberous plants (like sweet potato and cassava)
● Helps plants find potent light sources
● Improves the functions of other hormones, like IBA, BAP, and NAA
● Works as a signaling molecule on the plant system to stimulate the size development of plants
It’s especially effective when applied to fruits and vegetables, like beets and tomatoes. The exogenous application of IAA can help promote the accumulation of IAA in the ovary, which in turn induces parthenocarpy or the development of fruit without fertilization. This is a desirable characteristic of fruit cultivation as it decreases the cost of production.
Using this plant hormone can also enlarge the yield of fruits. For plants, like rice and potatoes, this plant hormone can be utilized to induce sprouting. Since indole acetic acid helps encourage the cell growth of plants, it can be applied to random root formations, like tea tree.
Is It Safe to Use?
Little research has been done on the effects of indole acetic acid on humans. The data about its toxicity is also limited. But one thing is certain – no data has been recorded about the compound’s carcinogenic or developmental effects on people as of 2008.
In its material safety data sheet, IAA is considered as mutagenic to the somatic cells of mammals. It’s potentially carcinogenic and may cause negative reproductive effects based on animal data. If you use this chemical compound in your garden or on your farm, make sure that your animals don’t feed on the treated plants.
Users of indole acetic acid are warned not to get exposed to, or ingest it. Avoid exposure to the skin, eyes, and nose because the compound may cause potential irritation. In case of accidental exposure to the skin and eyes, rinse the affected part thoroughly. Get fresh air if you have accidentally inhaled the chemical solution. When swallowed, contact your physician immediately to get proper treatment.
According to the National Fire and Protection Agency, prolonged and intense exposure to IAA may cause temporary incapacitation and potential residual injury, so it is necessary to take proper precautions when handling the chemical solution.
Directions for Use
Although there are no reports of toxicity to the crops, proper administration of IAA should always be observed. Store the compound in a temperature within 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
When preparing the solution, follow these steps:
● Dilute it in ethanol. Add water to increase the volume.
● If necessary, mix the solution to dissolve the plant growth regulator.
● Autoclave or filter the solution through a 0.2-micron filter for sterilization.
● Store the solution at -20 degrees Celsius.
The concentration of IAA may vary depending on the medium used. The usual concentration may be between the range of 0.01 mg/ml and 3.0 mg/ml.
Power Grown’s Indole Acetic Acid is available in a soluble powder form. For the powder form, combine it with water to get a mixture perfect for your application. You can find more instructions on the packet, including the number of scoops required.
Power Grown’s Indole Acetic Acid comes in four different sizes: 50 grams, 25 grams, 10 grams, and 5 grams. Every product comes with full directions and a measuring spoon. The purity of the product is about 99% and its appearance varies from off-white crystal to purple crystal.
Methods of Application
Today, there are a lot of ingenious ways to apply plant growth regulators to plants more effectively. Here are the most common methods of applying IAA to achieve height control of plants.
1. The Spray Method
Most plant growth regulators are designed for mixing with water and are absorbed through the leaves. These products are often used with a backpack or hand-held sprayer. If you like to cover a larger area, use a boom sprayer.
When using the spray method, make sure that you achieve uniform coverage. Apply 2 quarts of spray solution for every 100 square feet. You’ll get inconsistent results if you fail to apply these chemicals correctly.
Here are a few tips for using the spray method:
● To make sure that you don’t miss any plants when spraying, do it on a calm day. This way, the substance won’t drift onto other surfaces.
● Walk in a straight line and put the rod to your side when spraying.
● Try using a grass marking dye to indicate the area you have already sprayed.
● Only spray on healthy plants to help restore energy to overcome issues.
● Don’t use where animals eat the plants directly after application.
2. Drenching
The second most common method of indole acetic acid application is drenching. This method usually offers longer lasting and more consistent results than the spray application. However, you need to use a larger diluted volume of the solution compared to sprays. Drenches are mainly applied on top of a plant’s growing media. In most cases, 2 ounces of the final solution is used to a 4-inch pot or 6 ounces to an 8-inch pot.
3. The Sprench Method
This particular method is a blend of the drench and spray methods. It uses a higher volume of spray to accomplish a more drenching effect than the spray method. The volume is usually about twice that of a spray application, while the chemical concentration is typically less.
4. Bulb Dipping
Also known as bulb soaking, this innovative technique is used to control the height of particular bulb crops. To do this, simply dip or soak the bulb in the IAA solution before planting. The amount of the chemical and the time the bulbs are soaked may differ depending on the plant species.
5. Pre-Plan Dip of Cuttings
Indole acetic acid is known to speed up the root initiation on vegetative growth and propagation. In other words, it helps to begin rooting in stem cuttings. If you want to enhance the propagation of plants, apply 10 mg/L of IAA at the bottom of the cutting. For chickpea varieties, about 40 mg/L is required to promote root growth.
A lot of growers use this method to achieve height control. This technique can be applied on either unrooted or rooted cuttings of certain plant varieties. For maximum results, the cuttings are placed in the IAA solution just long enough to fully wet all the stems and leaves. After that, the cuttings are removed and planted.
Regardless of what method you use, never forget to check the instructions for suitable application methods. Prepare the proper clothing and equipment before you open the container or the packet. Since you don’t want to get exposed to the IAA substance, ideally, you should wear a mask and gloves.
Contact Power Grown Today!
Power Grown specializes in offering hard to find plant growth regulators and hormones. We also offer fertilizers and other related products for the complete nutrition of plants. All the products are generated from natural sources.
If you would like to purchase "indole acetic acid" and/or other related products, please visit www.powergrown.com. Or Call Us! 916-474-0451.
Related Links
https://www.powergrown.com/product-category/all-products/indole-butyric-acid/
https://www.powergrown.com/information/indole-acetic-acid/
#plant #nature #plantgrowth #indolebutyricacid #powergrown #regulators
No comments:
Post a Comment