The invisible hand shaping plants: Explore the applications, challenges, and ecological prospects of plant growth regulators

<p>In the past two decades, research on plant growth regulators has developed rapidly. The year 2020 marked an important milestone, as the number of research papers published in this field exceeded 1,000 for the first time, and the number of papers continued to grow exponentially thereafter. However, in this vigorous development process, a comprehensive and accurate overview of this field is particularly lacking. Our review aims to fill this gap and provide a panoramic view of the rapidly developing field of plant growth regulation. We will comprehensively analyze the research progress and applications of plant growth hormones and plant growth regulators from multiple key areas. Our narrative spans the historical origins of plant growth regulators and their transformative impacts across various fields, along with the economic and ecological effects they bring, including agriculture, horticulture, environmental protection, and plant breeding. Additionally, we discuss the potential applications and challenges associated with plant growth regulators. Looking ahead, we cautiously anticipate further advancements in the field of plant growth regulator research, particularly in conjunction with gene editing technologies and smart agriculture. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive reference framework for researchers, agricultural workers, and related industries, helping them better understand the fundamental principles and practical applications of plant growth hormones and regulators, thereby promoting further research and development in this field. Through systematic analysis and summarization, we hope to provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for future studies, facilitating the sustainable development of plant production.</p>