# Explain how farmers and gardeners use plant hormones to their advantage in two different ways.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 4.4 Plant hormones · Explain · 4 marks

> Plant hormones can be manufactured and applied artificially to control plant growth and development. These artificial hormones are used widely in agriculture and horticulture.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Use 1: rooting powder/hormone rooting powder contains auxin / gibberellin promotes root growth on cuttings
2. Explanation of use 1: allows more plants to be produced quickly / increases success rate of cuttings / allows cloning/propagation of desirable plants
3. Use 2: weedkillers / selective herbicides contain high concentrations of auxin / ethene used to ripen fruit / gibberellins used to increase fruit size or delay ripening
4. Explanation of use 2: disrupts normal growth in weeds / kills weeds without harming grass or crops / fruit can be harvested unripe and ripened later for fresher produce / larger fruit increases crop yield

## Key terms

- [plant hormones](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/plant-hormones)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-farmers-and-gardeners-use-3fc77475) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.