The effects of L-Alanyl-L-cystine at different stages of plant growth are as follows:
I. Seed Germination Stage
Promoting Germination: L-Alanyl-L-cystine provides additional nitrogen and sulfur sources, participating in metabolic activities within the seed. It aids in the breakdown and conversion of stored substances, supplying energy and essential materials for embryo growth. This enhances seed germination, increasing germination rate and vigor.
Enhancing Vitality: The antioxidant properties of L-Alanyl-L-cystine help eliminate excess free radicals generated during germination, protecting seed cell integrity and maintaining membrane stability. This enhances seed vitality, allowing healthier radicle and plumule emergence.
II. Seedling Growth Stage
Root Development: L-Alanyl-L-cystine stimulates cell division and elongation in roots, promoting primary root growth and lateral root formation. This leads to a well-developed root system, improving water and nutrient absorption, thereby laying a strong foundation for seedling growth.
Shoot Growth: By participating in nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis, L-Alanyl-L-cystine provides sufficient nutrients for stem and leaf development. This results in thicker stems, greener and more robust leaves, enhancing photosynthesis efficiency and promoting aboveground growth.
Stress Resistance: It helps seedlings eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS), alleviating oxidative stress and improving resistance to adverse conditions such as extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity. This reduces environmental stress effects and increases seedling survival rates.
III. Vigorous Vegetative Growth Stage
Promoting Growth: L-Alanyl-L-cystine continuously supplies nutrients, stimulating cell division and elongation. This accelerates the growth of stems, leaves, and other vegetative organs, increasing plant biomass and overall vigor.
Enhancing Photosynthesis: It may regulate the activity of photosynthesis-related enzymes, such as increasing carboxylase activity to improve carbon dioxide fixation and assimilation. This enhances photosynthesis efficiency, leading to greater accumulation of photosynthetic products.
Strengthening Stress Resistance: During this stage, plants face more pests and environmental stresses. L-Alanyl-L-cystine’s antioxidant and regulatory functions help boost the plant’s immune defense system, improving resistance to diseases and pests while enabling adaptation to harsh conditions. This minimizes growth suppression.
IV. Reproductive Growth Stage
Flower Bud Differentiation: L-Alanyl-L-cystine helps regulate plant hormone balance, promoting flower bud differentiation. It increases the number and quality of flowers, ensuring full flower development and enhanced resistance to stress, laying a solid foundation for flowering and fruiting.
Fruit Set and Development: During the fruit-setting stage, it enhances fruit set rates and reduces flower and fruit drop. In fruit development, it participates in cell expansion, sugar accumulation, and pigment synthesis, promoting larger, fuller fruits with better color, ultimately improving fruit quality and yield.
Delaying Senescence: By scavenging free radicals in fruits and plants, L-Alanyl-L-cystine slows the aging process. This allows fruits to mature fully on the plant, accumulating more nutrients while extending the fruiting period and increasing total yield.
V. Maturity and Senescence Stage
Enhancing Quality: L-Alanyl-L-cystine continues to participate in metabolic processes within the fruit, promoting the conversion of starch into sugars and other compounds. This improves fruit flavor and texture, further enhancing agricultural product quality.
Maintaining Stress Resistance: Even as the plant enters senescence, it helps maintain resistance to diseases and environmental stresses, reducing fruit decay and quality deterioration. This extends fruit shelf life and storage period.
Nutrient Recycling: L-Alanyl-L-cystine may contribute to nutrient redistribution within the plant, facilitating the transfer of nutrients from leaves and other vegetative organs to fruits or seeds. This improves seed fullness and viability, preparing the next generation for successful growth.