GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT OF
CROPS
FIRST SEM
GROWTH

 Increase in the size of living organisms is commonly called ‘growth’. Many

physiological processes play an important role during growth of plants and
animals. In plants seed germinates and develops into a seedling and later it
assumes the shape of an adult plant. Growth may be defined as an
irreversible permanent increase in size, volume or mass of a cell or organ or
whole organism accompanied by an increase in dry weight.
 Types of growth
 Primary and secondary growth-. The meristematic cells present at the root
and shoot apex increases the length of the plant body. This is called the
primary growth. The secondary meristem increases the diameter of the plant
body and it is called the secondary growth.
 Unlimited Growth- The root and the shoot system of plants grow continuously
from germination stage to the death or throughout the life span of the plant.
It is called ‘Unlimited’ or ‘indeterminate’ type of growth.
 Limited growth - The leaves, fruits and flowers stop growing after attaining
certain size. This is called ‘limited’ or ‘determinate’ type of growth.
 Vegetative growth- The earlier growth of plant producing leaves, stem and
branches without flowers is called ‘vegetative growth’/ Phase.
 Reproductive growth- After the vegetative growth, plants produce flowers
which is the reproductive part of the plant. This is called reproductive
growth/phase
GROWTH STAGES
DEVELOPMENT

 Plant hormones/ phytohormones/ Growthregulators- Plant hormones are

chemically diverse substances produced in minute quantity and they involve
in most of the plant cell activities. They regulate the growth process both by
promoting and inhibiting growth. They are produced in certain parts of the
plant and transported to other tissues where their action is shown. Based on
their promotory and inhibitory activity they have been classified into growth
promoters and growth inhibitors.
Growth Some Functions of Growth inhibitors Functions of growth
promoters growth promoters inhibitors

1Auxins, 1. Cell division. 1. Ethylene 1. Induces senescence.

2.Gibberellins, 2.cell enlargement 2 Dormin or abscissic 2.Induces dormancy of
3.cytokinins 4.Fruiting and flowering acid seeds
5.Seed germination
6.Root formation
FACTORS AFFECTING G/D OF CROPS

A. Genetic Factor (INTERNAL FACTORS)

 The genotype of a plant affects its growth. For example, selected varieties of
rice grow rapidly, maturing within 110 days, whereas others, in the same
environmental conditions, grow more slowly and mature within 155 days.
 A producer has control over the genetic factor by his choice of variety.
B. Environmental Factors
 Environmental factors which affect plant growth can be classified as abiotic
factors and biotic factors.
Abiotic Factors
 The abiotic factors that affect plant growth and development include
topography, soil, and climatic factors. They are the non-living components of
the environment.
Topography
 Topography is a nonliving or abiotic factor that refers to the “lay of the
land.” It includes the physical features of the earth such as the land
elevation, slope, terrain (flat, rolling, hilly, etc.), mountain ranges and bodies
of water.
Soil
 Soil is the outermost layer of the surface of the earth in which plants grow. It
is composed of eroded rock, mineral nutrients, decaying plant and animal
matter, water and air.
The climatic factors which affect plant growth include:

• Humidity
• Aeration
• Light
• Temperature
• Moisture
 The effect of these biotic factors on plant expression may be advantageous or
disadvantageous, depending on how they interact with the plant. These
interactions include mutualism, herbivory, parasitism, and allelopathy.
Biotic Factors

 The effect of these biotic factors on plant expression may be advantageous or

disadvantageous, depending on how they interact with the plant. These
interactions include mutualism, herbivory, parasitism, and allelopathy.
Mutualism

Mutualism is a species-to-species interaction in which both the biotic

factor and the plant are benefited by the relationship. Examples of
beneficial influence of biotic factors on plant growth and development
through mutualism are:

(1) The symbiotic relationship of the Rhizobium bacteria and

leguminous plants.
 Herbivory

In herbivory, plant-eating organisms called herbivore, such as ruminant

animals, rodents (eg. Rats, squirrels), insects, and molluscs feed on
plant parts. Herbivores with significant deleterious effects on crop
growth and yield are called „pests‟.
 Parasitism

Parasitism is an interaction between two organisms in which one

organism, called parasite, is benefited,
but causes harm to another, called host.
The parasite steals its food from the host.
Micro organisms such as fungi, bacteria
and virus injure crops by causing diseases
and are called
pathogens. Examples of parasitic plants Loranthus on mango tree are the

loranthus, cuscuta, and some orchids.

 Plant Interaction and Allelopathy

The word allelopathy derives from two separate words. They are allelon
which means "of each other", and pathos which means "to suffer".
Allelopathy refers to the chemical inhibition of one species by another.
The "inhibitory" chemical is released into the environment where it
affects the development and growth of neighboring plants.

 Allelopathic chemicals can be present in any part of the plant.

They can be found in leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, or stems. They
can also be found in the surrounding soil.