finding the fountain of youth
Cytokinins and
Ascorbic Acids
Cytokines—concentrated amounts of
plant growth regulators that stimulate
plant cell division—can somewhat
control plant senescence. Foliar applications of these products have been
shown to delay the onset of senescence
and promote shoot and root growth,
which can provide for an expanding
plant architecture that is more resilient to change. Kelp and other sea
plants contain relatively concentrated
amounts of plant cytokinins, auxins and
other growth regulators. When applied
regularly, these products can extend
life or lengthen the effective growth
“Kinetin increases the
yields of annual fruits and
vegetables, often producing
seedless fruits, and increases
the budding of herbs.
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Maximum Yield USA | January 2015
curve and drive
up yields. Another
option is kinetin, a
type of cytokinin sold
commercially under
many trade names in
mostly synthetic forms and
usually applied to blossoms to induce
fruit set. Kinetin increases the yields
of annual fruits and vegetables, often
producing seedless fruits, and increases
the budding of herbs.
Foliar sprays of ascorbic acids are also
important since they contain a vital
anti-oxidant enzyme called superoxide
dismutase (SOD), an enzyme thought
to disarm DNA-damaging free radicals. Damaged DNA causes replication
errors in cells and plant tissues and can
hasten cell death, increasing the risk of
plant disease. SOD is thought to be a
powerful ally in reducing the effect of
free radicals. These age-causing mutations damage DNA within the cells,
often shutting down plants early and
stunting growth.