Which of the following hormones plays a crucial role in regulating endosperm development?
Abscisic acid (ABA)
Gibberellins (GA)
Auxins
Cytokinins
Gibberellins are a group of plant hormones that play a crucial role in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development, including endosperm development. During endosperm development, gibberellins are involved in promoting cell division and elongation, leading to the enlargement of the endosperm. They also regulate the expression of genes involved in endosperm development and nutrient storage.
While hormones like abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, and cytokinins are involved in various physiological processes in plants, they do not have a significant direct role in regulating endosperm development. ABA, for example, plays a role in seed dormancy and stress responses. Auxins are involved in plant growth and development, such as cell elongation and tropic responses. Cytokinins are involved in cell division and differentiation processes. However, their direct involvement in endosperm development is not as pronounced as that of gibberellins.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.