Cytokinin Signaling in Plant Response to Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

Cytokinins, a type of plant hormone, play a vital and diverse role in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. They are crucial for fundamental plant processes such as cell division, shoot initiation, leaf aging, and nutrient distribution (Mok and Mok 2001, Kieber and Schaller 2014). Typically cytokinins are synthesized in the roots, and then transported throughout the plant, exerting their effects through intricate signal transduction pathways (Hwang et al. 2012). One significant effect of cytokinins is their ability to stimulate cell division, resulting in an increase in cell numbers and subsequent growth of plant organs. Moreover, cytokinins play a crucial role in shoot initiation, ensuring the development of new shoots from dormant buds. Additionally, these hormones regulate leaf aging by extending the lifespan of leaves and sustaining photosynthetic activity for an extended period. Furthermore, cytokinins facilitate the mobilization of nutrients, aiding in the efficient uptake and transportation of essential elements required for plant growth and metabolism. Extensive research has provided substantial evidence for the remarkable impact of cytokinins on plant growth. Their application has consistently shown improvements in shoot and root development, promotion of enhanced flowering, and overall increased yield (Werner et al. 2001, Sakakibara 2006). By influencing cellular processes, cytokinins actively contribute to the formation of new tissues and the activation of growth-promoting genes. © 2024 CRC Press.