Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Physiology
Open Access

Abstract

Contribution of Plant Growth Regulators in Mitigation of Herbicidal Stress

Varshney S, Iqbal MRK, Masood A, Tasir SP, Rasheed F and Nafees AK

Weeds contribute to severe loss of agricultural crop productivity. Herbicides are efficient, cheap and effective method for their control, but their multiple uses at higher concentration have resulted in induced toxicity and stress in non-target crops. The herbicideinduced toxicity affects growth, photosynthesis, physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants directly impacting yield of plants. It is therefore, necessary to find ways to mitigate the herbicidal effects by increasing the tolerance of crops to their application. Plant growth regulators are known to promote growth and development of plants under optimal and stressful environment. They induce various physiological and biochemical responses and also confer tolerance of plants to abiotic stresses. The present review covers the aspects of herbicidal response of plants and evaluates the contribution of plant growth regulators in mitigating herbicidal stress effects and increasing the tolerance of plants. Further, future research in this direction to enhance our understanding on the relation between plant growth regulators and herbicides to improve tolerance of crop plants is discussed. The study suggests the use of plant growth regulators as a tool in mitigating effects of herbicidal stress together with improved growth and development.