The Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Fertilizer on Stem Elongation and Plant Development in the Brassica Rapa
             Plants growth rates can be altered using several factors. Anything from temperature, lighting, water, and nutrients can have an affect on any given plants development. Green plants cannot ingest complex molecules but can utilize elements like nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Nitrogen is the main requirement for plant development and can profoundly affect plant development (Hershey, 1990). Interestingly, most household-potting soil is typically poor in nitrogen so soils may lack these components. Fertilizers are composed mainly of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These are considered the primary nutrients. Fertilizers may very well contain secondary nutrients also, mainly calcium, magnesium and sulfur (Hershey, 1990). These nutrients are absorbed through the roots using photosynthesis, water, and carbon dioxide through a process called transpiration.
             Hormones can also affect the growth of a plant. Auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins are the principle hormones that affect plant growth. These hormones can either stimulate or inhibit the plants development. In general auxins promote rooting, directional growth as well as fruit and leaf retention. Cytokinins encourage mitosis, transpiration, and general well being. Lastly, gibberellins, can hasten germination, create premature flowering, and increase fruit pollination and growth. They have also been known to modify flower sex expression, aid flowers in protection from frost and inhibit root formation in cuttings (Riley, 1987 & Wright, 1993).
             Gibberellins were originally discovered in Japan around 1920. Investigators found the fungus Gibberella fujikoroi. This fungus is often associated with a disease found in rice that makes the plants grow unusually tall and collapse (Wright, 1993). The discovery eventually lead to the isolation of Gibb...