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Growth is a fundamental feature of living organisms, and it involves a lasting change that makes a plant bigger. Similar to other living beings, plants also exhibit growth. It’s a vital characteristic for plants because it allows them to reach out for nutrients from locations far away from where they are rooted. Growth is the way plants compete with each other and safeguard their essential parts.
Seed germination is a noteworthy example of plant growth. In this process, a seed transforms into a seedling, and as it continues to grow, it eventually becomes a fully developed adult plant. This growth journey is crucial for the plant’s survival and success.
Phases of Plant Growth and Development – We all know that growth is an essential characteristic of all living organisms. It is an irreversible and endless metabolic process. Even plants have a unique ability to grow continuously throughout their life cycle. The whole process of growth and development in plants is taken out by the specialized cells called meristems. In this article, we will learn about the how plant growth happens, the different phases of plant growth, the conditions of growth, etc.
Phases of Growth in Plants
Plant growth happens in three stages – meristematic, elongation, and maturation. We can comprehend these phases of plant growth better by looking at a seed. We already know that the tips of roots and shoots exhibit steady growth and hence are meristematic. The cells in this area are rich in protoplasm and have large nuclei. The cells next to this area represent the elongation growth phase. There is the construction of new cell walls, vacuoles, etc. The room next to the elongation phase represents the maturation phase in which the cells attain their maximal size.
Conditions For Growth
Some of the components essential for the growth of plants are oxygen, water, and nutrients. Water penetrates the cells and causes turgidity. It results in the maturation of the cell. Water also supplies a medium for the activities of enzymes. The metabolic energy needed for various activities is obtained from oxygen and sometimes nutrients. Optimum temperature, light, and gravity are also required for the proper maturing and development of the plant.
Phases Of Plant Growth
Let us look at the three phases of plant growth in detail below:
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Meristematic Phase
The cells in a plant’s root and shoot apex are constantly dividing. They represent the meristematic phase of growth. The cells in these areas have large nuclei and are rich in protoplasm, and their cell walls are thin and include cellulose.
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Elongation Phase:
The cells in the area just after the meristematic region represent the phase of elongation. The elements of cells in this zone are cell enlargement, increased vacuole formation, and new cell wall deposition.
- Maturation Phase:
Just close to the elongation phase, but away from the apex lies the maturation phase. The cells in this region reach their maximum size concerning their protoplasm and cell wall thickening.
Know About: Phases of Growth in Plants – Three Phases of Growth in Plants
Phases of plant development
Phases of plant development is the process where all the changes it goes through during its life cycle, from seed germination to senescence. The development of plants (i.e., development and differentiation) is affected by outside factors (light, temperature, water) and intrinsic factors (genes and plant growth controllers). Plants respond differently to the environment and phases of life and give rise to other structures. This ability of plants is called ‘plasticity’. Example – The leaves of a young cotton plant differ from a mature cotton plant. Also, the leaves of the buttercup plant that grow in the air have a different shape than those that grow in water. This phenomenon of producing various forms is called ‘heterophylly’.
Stages of plant growth
It’s a quantitative parameter and refers to an unrecoverable increase in the size or weight of a cell, towel, or organ. Plants can grow throughout their lives due to meristematic tissues present in the specific corridors.
Growth can be measured by increasing cell number, length, area, volume, and dry or wet weight.
- Primary Growth – Apical meristems of roots and shoots are responsible for rapid growth.
- Secondary Growth– Secondary growth is due to side meristems, e.g. vascular and cork cambium. The factory increases in circumference due to secondary transition.
The various stages of plant growth include
- Seed Germination – The seed needs water, oxygen, and optimum temperature for its germination. A temperature of 24-32 ℃ is optimum for germination. Water hydrates the enzymes and food inventories, and the seed becomes actuated.
- Vegetative and Growth – The roots crop from the seed, and the vegetative stage begins. The most precious growth occurs during the vegetative phase, and it continues unless dammed by environmental change.
- Reproductive Stage – This is the final stage where the factory produces flowers, fruits, and seeds. The plants require different nutrients similar to phosphorus and potassium at this stage.
Learn Every Line Of NCERT, Plant Growth and Development
Factors Impacting plant Growth
The critical factors affecting the growth of plants include
- Temperature Growth is revved with the increase in temperature.
- Light intensity, duration of light, and light quality influence numerous physiological processes in a plant.
- Water is an essential aspect of plant growth. They grow well sufficient quantum of water. They indeed respond to the failure of water.
- Soil Nutrients plants bear an excellent quantum of nutrients for proper growth. The quality and volume of nutrients affect factory growth.
- Plant Growth Controllers Colorful plant growth controllers similar to auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, etc., are added to plants to control their growth.
Importance of chapter for JEE, NEET, and board exams
It is essential to study Phases of Plant Growth and Development unit because it makes us aware that plant growth relies on coordinating specific cell processes, cell division, cell expansion, and cell differentiation; the balance between these three cell processes determines optimal plant development. Plant growth is a continuous process starting with embryogenesis and the formation of the primary plant body (embryonic root and embryonic shoot) and continuing postgermination with the regular production of new organs (roots, leaves, branches, and flowers). New cells are produced throughout a plant’s life within specialized zones, called meristems, containing self-renewing stem cells (SCs) which can become committed to a spectrum of developmental fates. During plant development, cells become specialized for a particular function, called cell differentiation. An interesting aspect of plants is that many differentiated plant cells can dedifferentiate and regenerate into whole plants under suitable conditions, a phenomenon called totipotency. The high degree of plasticity plants ultimately adapts their development to an ever-changing environment.
FAQs on Plant Growth and Development
What is the elementary structure of plants that develop?
Elementary structures in plant development are buds, shoots, roots, leaves, and flowers; plants deliver these tissues and structures throughout their life from meristem located at the tips of organs or between mature tissues.
Which part is responsible for the primary growth of the plant?
Meristems in the roots and shoots of plants are responsible for the ‘primary growth of the plant’. These increase the height of the plant.
Define the maturation phase.
Just close to the elongation phase, but away from the apex lies the maturation phase. The cells in this region reach their maximum size concerning their protoplasm and cell wall thickening.
Which type of condition is required for plant growth?
Some of the components essential for the growth of plants are oxygen, water, and nutrients. Water penetrates the cells and causes turgidity. It results in the maturation of the cell. Water also supplies a medium for the activities of enzymes.
