Plant Hormones
Plant hormones are substances within plants that regulate growth and differentiation. Various hormones have been identified, each with a composition unique to different plants. In the field of tissue culture, plant hormones are essential as their type and concentration are manipulated externally to induce callus formation, and from calluses, to generate shoots and roots. In agriculture, plant hormones are the main components in rooting agents used for cuttings and chemicals used to produce seedless grapes. Some herbicides, part of the pesticide category, are also made of plant hormones.
In the agricultural and biotechnological sectors, plant hormones are indispensable. Though synthetically produced hormones are commonly used due to their lower cost, it has been discovered that organic compost made from food residues also contains plant hormones, with a varied composition.
Occurrence of plant hormones in composts made from organic fraction of agri-food industry waste.
Plant Hormones in Compost
Agricultural and food industry waste, which consists of inedible parts produced during farming and food processing, includes materials like buckwheat hulls, rice husks, hemp fiber waste, apple pomace, and residues from extracted fats and oils. Though these materials are not edible, they are rich in organic matter and thus provide good nutrition when turned into compost. It has been discovered that this compost contains various plant hormones.
Analyzing extracts from these composts using liquid chromatography allows for the identification of their components. This analysis has revealed the presence of 35 compounds belonging to six types of plant hormones: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, brassinosteroids, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid. The composition of these hormones varies depending on the original agricultural and food industry waste. These six groups of plant hormones induce different responses in plant growth and differentiation, suggesting that each type of compost might have a specific growth pattern it supports. This discovery opens up possibilities for exploring new uses in horticulture and agriculture as natural plant growth stimulants.
It is likely to add value through customization.
Compost made from agricultural and food industry waste contains an abundance of plant hormones, and their composition is diverse. Research has revealed the essential plant hormones for rooting, branching, flowering, and fruiting, and their specific compositions for different plants. By comparing these results with the concentrations of plant hormones in the compost, it may be possible to propose a new business model that offers organic fertilizers optimized for specific plants at particular stages (such as germination, flowering, or fruiting).
In implementing such a business model in Japan (or globally), regulatory considerations related to fertilizers will be necessary. In Japan, fertilizer sales are strictly regulated. Since fertilizer production involves fermentation, improper management can lead to the synthesis of harmful substances. Produced compost is tested for its components before being supplied to the market. Considering new ingredients for business development might not only increase the number of items to be tested but also lead to stringent usage regulations.
Although it is challenging to standardize organic materials, the reassurance that they are derived from natural components is significant. Moreover, if the functionality provided by plant hormones can be guaranteed, it might be feasible to develop this into a business.
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