GIBBERELLINS IN REGULATION OF PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT UNDER ABIOTIC STRESSES

Abstract

Background. Gibberellins (GAs), a class of diterpenoid phytohormones, play an important role in regulation of plant growth and development. Among more than 130 different gibberellin molecules, only a few are bioactive. GA1, GA3, GA4, and GA7 regulate plant growth through promotion the degradation of the DELLA proteins, a family of nuclear growth repressors – negative regulator of GAs signaling. Recent studies on GAs biosynthesis, metabolism, transport, and signaling, as well as crosstalk with other phytohormones and environment have achieved great progress thanks to molecular genetics and functional genomics. Aim. In this review, we focused on the role of GAs in regulation of plant gtowth in abiotic stress conditions. Results. We represented a key information on GAs biosynthesis, signaling and functional activity; summarized current understanding of the crosstalk between GAs and auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid and other hormones and what is the role of GAs in regulation of adaptation to drought, salinization, high and low temperature conditions, and heavy metal pollution. We emphasize that the effects of GAs depend primarily on the strength and duration of stress and the phase of ontogenesis and tolerance of the plant. By changing the intensity of biosynthesis, the pattern of the distribution and signaling of GAs, plants are able to regulate resistance to abiotic stress, increase viability and even avoid stress. The issues of using retardants – inhibitors of GAs biosynthesis to study the functional activity of hormones under abiotic stresses were discussed. Special attention was focused on the use of exogenous GAs for pre-sowing priming of seeds and foliar treatment of plants. Conclusion. Further study of the role of gibberellins in the acquisition of stress resistance would contribute to the development of biotechnology of exogenous use of the hormone to improve growth and increase plant yields under adverse environmental conditions.