BRAINCAKEHormonal Weedkillers
Plant hormones interact to allow the plant to grow. Weeds compete with crops for light, space, water and minerals. Most weeds tend to be broad-leaved dicots whilst most crop plants are narrow-leaved monocots. Applying synthetic auxins to fields with crops results in the uptake of the auxins by the broad-leaved plants. The growth rate increases to an unsustainable rate and the weeds die. Synthetic auxins used in this way are selective, cheap to produce, selective and have low toxicity to mammals.
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Key terms in this lesson
- auxin
- A plant growth hormone, produced at the tips of shoots and roots, that stimulates cell elongation, maintains apical dominance and controls tropisms.
- hormone
- A chemical messenger, secreted by an endocrine gland directly into the blood, that travels to target cells bearing complementary receptors and brings about a response.
More in Plant Responses
- Pheromones
- Response to Touch
- Tropisms
- Growing inthe Dark
- Geotropism
- Fruit Ripening
- Rooting Powder
- Other Uses of Plant Hormones
All 19 lessons in Plant Responses · All AQA A-level Biology topics