The addition of silver nitrate in plant tissue culture media is useful for managing and minimizing detrimental effects of which of the following plant hormones?
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• Silver nitrate → Ethylene inhibitor
• Used in tissue culture to improve growth
Concept:
Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that can accumulate in tissue culture conditions and negatively affect growth.
• Causes senescence and inhibits regeneration
• Needs to be controlled in in vitro cultures
Step 1: Role of silver nitrate.
• Silver ions (Ag$^+$) act as ethylene inhibitors • They block ethylene perception in plant tissues
Step 2: Analyzing options.
• NAA: Auxin → not affected by silver nitrate.
• Ethylene: Inhibited by silver nitrate → Correct.
• GA-34: Gibberellin → not relevant.
• Kinetin: Cytokinin → not relevant.
Step 3: Selecting the correct answer.
Thus, silver nitrate is used to inhibit ethylene effects.