A bibliometric study of the main growth regulators: Cytokinins, Auxins and Gibberellins in plants

Abstract

Introduction: Phytohormones, also known as plant hormones, are chemical compounds produced by plants that regulate growth, development, and response to environmental stimuli. Unlike animal hormones, phytohormones act at very low concentrations and can have effects at the site where they are produced or in other parts of the plant. These hormones play a crucial role in virtually all aspects of plant life, from seed germination to senescence. Materials and methods: Following the document types proposed by Scopus, review articles, proceedings, early access, book chapters, editorial materials, meeting abstracts, publication retractions, letters, notes, bibliographical items, and corrections were excluded. For each document the following information was exported: (1) Year of publication; (2) Authors; (3) Title of publication; (4) Number of citations; (5) Affiliation; (6) Keywords; (7) Research area; (8) Country of institution; (9) Journal. The reference lists of the works found were integrated into a single table and exported in .xls format. Results: In total, nine main groups of phytohormones have been identified: auxins, gibberellins (GA), cytokinins (CK), brassinosteroids (BR), strigolactones (SL), ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonates (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). These substances play a crucial role in a wide range of growth and development processes in plants, including cell elongation and division, root and shoot formation, flowering and fruit ripening. Each group has specific functions and is synthesized in different parts of the plant. These phytohormones interact with each other to coordinate plant growth and development, ensuring its adaptation to the environment and survival. Discussion: Studying the role of cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins in plant growth and development also provides fundamental information on the underlying biological processes. This may help advance our understanding of plant biology and open new avenues of research in fields such as genetics, physiology and plant biotechnology. Conclusions: Phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating cell growth, controlling cell elongation, which directly affects the size and shape of plant tissues, allowing plants to develop an appropriate structure and respond flexibly to changes in their environment. They also act in the formation of organs and tissues such as roots, shoots, leaves, flowers and fruits. This growth and development is influenced by environmental stimuli. Phytohormones help plants adapt to different environmental conditions, such as the availability of light, water, nutrients and the presence of pathogens or herbivores.