The normal functioning of a plant requires certain mechanisms that allow it to regulate and / or coordinate the different activities of its cells, tissues and organs. At the same time, it must be able to perceive and respond to changes in the environment, which as time goes by increase.

The term growth regulators or phytoregulators encompasses any natural or synthetic organic compound that, in small amounts, promotes, inhibits or qualitatively modifies the growth and development of the plant, in a similar way as phytohormones do.

Among the possible regulatory mechanisms, the best known is the chemical messenger system. This chemical communication is established primarily through plant hormones or phytohormones.

According to the agronomist and PhD from the University of Valencia, Thomas Fichet, “growth regulators are substances that induce changes in plants (fruit, root, shoot, etc.). They can be of synthetic or natural origin. In the case of fruit, everything depends on what is sought, it can be obtained depending on the regulator used: greater or less fruit set, larger size, greater pigment synthesis, advance or delay in ripening, etc. "

The importance of reducing growth

By reducing vegetative growth it is possible to control the size of the plant, but also, in many cases, it is possible to improve flowering by decreasing the competition between vegetative and reproductive growth. It can also promote the fruit setting and retention process, improving the number of fruits per plant.

Plant hormones play a role in regulating growth, and there are nine groups of plant hormones. In each group, there are different biosynthetic pathways including precursor forms, active forms, and degradations or conjugations of the active forms. Among these nine is Salicylic Acid (AS)

Research with AS

AS belongs to a very diverse group of substances known as phenolic compounds. It is present in plants and is part of the group of salicylates. It has an important role in the resistance of plants and occurs in young leaves and is transported via phloem. Its presence in plants is manifested in the form of sugar conjugates. They are esters of glucose and glucosides that, by enzymatic action or by means of acids, hydrolyze into glucose and saligenin.

AS applied in different ways has been reported to cause stomata closure and reduce perspiration, increase biomass, and increase somatic embryogenesis in tissue culture. It mainly participates in acquired systemic resistance (RSA) against pathogens, tolerance to abiotic stress such as heavy metal toxicity, involved in cell development, trichomes, senescence and stomatal opening.

According to researcher Fichet, "AS participates in many processes, such as stomatal opening, tolerance to pathogens, tolerance to heavy metals, tolerance to oxidative stress, etc."

Research regarding AS as a blueberry growth regulator is in full swing and the latest developments in this regard will be reported here, using remote conferencing tools or Webinars at a later date.