Plant life cycles and growth hormones

This lesson provides an overview of the life cycles of regionally significant crops, such as sugarcane, bananas, and mangoes, with a focus on the role of plant hormones in enhancing growth and yields. Through discussions and comparisons, students learn about the stages of plant growth and the functions of hormones like auxins and gibberellins. This lesson is ideal for understanding plant biology and agricultural practices in North Queensland.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the life cycle stages (germination, vegetative, reproductive) of selected North Queensland crops.
Compare the stages of plant development across different crops.
Explain the role of auxins and gibberellins in plant growth and development.
Outline how auxins and gibberellins can be used to maximize crop yields.

Lesson Highlights:

Starter Activity: Students discuss stages of the plant life cycle, identifying when roots, shoots, and flowers develop.
Life Cycle Stages Overview: Detailed explanation of germination, vegetative growth, and reproductive growth, with examples from sugarcane, bananas, and mangoes.
Plant Hormones Overview: Introduction to auxins and gibberellins, focusing on their roles in cell elongation, root growth, stem elongation, and fruit development.
Practical Applications: Discussion on using auxins for root growth in cuttings and gibberellins for increasing stem height, enhancing yield in tropical crops.
Complete Answers and Timed Activities: All answers are provided for guided discussion, with timers to maintain structured pacing.

Included Materials:

PowerPoint Presentation with visual breakdowns of plant life cycles and hormone functions
Worksheet for analyzing crop life cycles and hormone applications
Answer key for all activities and questions
Reflection prompts for student self-assessment

This lesson package equips students with an understanding of plant development stages and the impact of growth hormones, connecting biological concepts to practical agricultural improvements in crop yields.