Plant growth and its development

Introduction

The process by which trees grow in height and diameter over some time must have been explained to you up to this point. As a result, the development of a plant is the total of two processes that work together. These are the concepts of growth and differentiation. Let us begin with the fact that the growth process of a matured plant begins with the zygote, which is also important to understand. A zygote is a fertilised egg that develops by a precise and sequential sequence of events. It is during this spell that a complicated body organisation takes place, which aids in the formation of roots and leaves as well as branches and flowers, as well as fruits and seeds. They inevitably succumb to their injuries after a certain period.

In biology, growth is defined as an organism’s permanent and irreversible increase in size. This characteristic is observed in all species, and it is followed by a variety of metabolic reactions.

Definition of Plant Growth 

Every plant and animal is made up of cells, which is why they are considered to be living creatures. Every living object exhibits the trait of growth, which is both essential and conspicuous. Growth can be described as a rise in size that is permanent and irreversible. Once an organ, or even the sections of a single cell, has grown, it is impossible to change its size or composition. The rate of growth is determined by the metabolic processes (both anabolic and catabolic) that occur. This occurs at the expense of the environment’s energy supply. This means that the expansion of a stem is considered to be growth.

Phases of Plant Development

The following are the stages of plant development:

Formative Phase

Plants reproduce by dividing their cells. Ones that have already been formed divide to produce new cells. Mitosis is the term used to describe the process of cell division in plants. It is completed in two steps: first, gather your materials.

• Nucleus division, also known as Karyokinesis

• Cytoplasmic division, also known as Cytokinesis

In higher plants, cell division begins in the meristematic zone, which is an area of rapid cell division.

Cell Enlargement and Differentiation

The production of protoplasm, the absorption of water, the development of vacuoles, and the addition of cell walls to make them thicker and more permanent all contribute to the expansion of cells, tissues, and organs during this stage.

Maturation of the Cell

At this point, the expanded cells have taken on a distinct shape and appearance. This is useful in distinguishing between different cells and tissues.

When compared to animals, there is a significant difference in growth in plants

When it comes to growth, plants and animals are very different. When an animal reaches maturity, the components of its body that have reached a specific age stop growing at a rapid rate. In the case of plants, on the other hand, they continue to grow during their entire lifespan. The growth is localised to specific meristematic tissue locations exclusively, and not across the body. As a result of this continuing expansion, the following structures are formed: 

Apical Meristems

Apical meristems are the zones of cell division that occur at the tips of roots and stems and are found in all plants. Due to the differentiation of tissues from meristems, it is responsible for lengthening the overall length of the basic plant body.

Lateral Meristems

The diameter of some plants increases as a result of the formation of new tissues on the sides of the plant. They laterally create tissues in a cylindrical shape, which is known as vascular cambium, which is formed laterally. It continues to extend throughout the length of a plant, from the tips of the shoots down to the roots.

Phases of Development

There are three distinct stages in the growth and development of a plant. These are the ones:

• Meristematic
• Elongation
• Maturation 

Meristematic: The continual division of cells that occurs at the apex of roots and shoots indicates that the plant is in the meristematic phase of growth. 

Elongation: In the process of cell enlargement, elongation is the phase in which the cell elongates as a result of a development process that is governed by phytohormones and light. This has specific relevance in terms of plant development.

Maturation: Maturation is the stage during which the cell wall becomes lignified and thickened. The cells develop and grow to their maximum size at this point. Additionally, they are subjected to protoplasmic changes. 

The Growth Rates of Plants

The growth rate is the rate at which the development process proceeds per unit of time. So, the pace of development can be expressed mathematically. An organism or sections of an organism can generate a large number of cells in a variety of ways.

Concerning arithmetic growth, only one daughter cell can divide at a time while the others continue to mature and differentiate as they should. One way to write the simplest arithmetical expression is by the use of a root that extends indefinitely at a constant rate.

Factors Affecting Plant Growth

The following are the most significant elements influencing the growth of plants:

1. Temperature: As the temperature rises, the rate of growth increases proportionately.
2. Light: The amount of light, the length of light, and the quality of light all have an impact on various physiological processes that occur in a plant.
3. Water: Water is a critical ingredient in the growth of all plants. They thrive in an environment where there is enough water. They even react when there is a shortage of water.
4. Nutrients in the Soil: Plants require an adequate amount of nutrients to grow properly. Plant growth is influenced by the quality and quantity of nutrients available.

The addition of plant growth regulators such as auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, and other substances to plants to govern their growth is another method of controlling plant growth.

Conclusion

The term “development” refers to any of the changes that occur during a plant’s life cycle. Depending on the environmental conditions, plants take different courses and produce different types of structures. When compared to the leaves of a mature plant, the leaves of a young plant have a different structure.