What are plant growth regulators designed to do?

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are specialized chemicals designed to modify the growth and development of plants. Their primary function is to suppress excessive growth, which can lead to a reduction in maintenance needs, particularly in managed landscapes and agricultural settings. By controlling the size and form of plants, PGRs can help maintain a desired aesthetic appearance and facilitate easier maintenance, including mowing and trimming.

This makes the use of PGRs beneficial in various scenarios, such as promoting a compact growth habit in ornamental plants or managing the height of turfgrass. Suppressing growth can also contribute to reduced resource competition among plants, leading to improved overall health in the landscape.

Other options such as enhancing root growth, preventing plant diseases, or increasing flowering are not the main functions of plant growth regulators. While there are specific methods and products for promoting root growth or encouraging flowering, these are outside the primary role of PGRs, which centers more on regulating and controlling plant size and growth rate.