What Is 6-Furfurylaminopurine Kinetin
6-Furfurylaminopurine, also known as kinetin or 6-furfurylaminopurine kinetin, is a white crystalline substance or crystalline powder. It is easily soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and dilute alkaline solutions, but insoluble in cold water, methanol and ethanol. It is a purine-type natural endogenous plant hormone and was the first cytokinin discovered by humans, and it can now be synthetically produced. Kinetin belongs to the cytokinin family of plant growth regulators, which are essential for cell division and differentiation in plants.
Physiological Functions
Kinetin promotes cell division and tissue differentiation, induces bud formation and breaks apical dominance. It also delays the degradation of proteins and chlorophyll, providing preservation and anti-senescence effects. Furthermore, it slows abscission layer formation and enhances fruit setting. These functions make kinetin a regulator of plant development at the cellular level: it keeps tissues young, directs the formation of shoots and buds, and prevents the premature shedding of leaves, flowers and fruit.
Use in Plant Tissue Culture
This compound is mainly used in plant tissue culture, where it is often combined with auxins to promote cell division and induce callus formation and tissue differentiation. In tissue culture, the ratio of cytokinin to auxin determines the developmental pathway: high cytokinin promotes shoot formation, high auxin promotes root formation, and intermediate ratios maintain callus growth. Kinetin is a standard component of culture media for micropropagation, and its concentration is adjusted per species and explant type.
Agricultural and Horticultural Uses
As a natural purine-type plant hormone, kinetin plays an important role in plant growth regulation and is widely used in agriculture, horticulture and plant research fields. It is used to prolong the storage life of root crops, prevent water loss and maintain green color by spraying before harvest or soaking after harvest. In horticulture, it delays the yellowing of leafy vegetables and ornamentals, and in fruit production it enhances fruit setting and slows abscission. Its effect on chlorophyll retention makes it valuable for post-harvest quality maintenance.
Formulation and Application
Kinetin is typically formulated as a technical concentrate and diluted for application. The application method depends on the crop and the goal: foliar sprays, dips for harvested produce, or additions to tissue culture media. The concentration must be matched to the species and the physiological stage, because excessive cytokinin can inhibit root growth or cause abnormal development. Users should follow the label directions of the registered product for agricultural use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kinetin? 6-Furfurylaminopurine, a purine-type plant hormone and the first discovered cytokinin.
What does kinetin do in plants? It promotes cell division and differentiation, induces bud formation and delays protein and chlorophyll degradation.
How is kinetin used in tissue culture? Combined with auxins to induce callus formation and shoot or root differentiation, with the ratio controlling the pathway.
How does kinetin extend produce storage life? By maintaining green color and preventing water loss when sprayed before harvest or applied after harvest.
What is the CAS number of kinetin? 525-79-1.
