Cytokinins (CKs) are ubiquitous phytohormones that participate in development, morphogenesis and many physiological processes throughout plant kingdom. In higher plants, mutants and transgenic cells and tissues with altered activity of CK metabolic enzymes or perception machinery, have highlighted their crucial involvement in different agriculturally important traits, such as productivity, increased tolerance to various stresses and overall plant morphology. Furthermore, recent precise metabolomic analyses have elucidated the specific occurrence and distinct functions of different CK types in various plant species. Thus, smooth manipulation of active CK levels in a spatial and temporal way could be a very potent tool for plant biotechnology in the future. This review summarises recent advances in cytokinin research ranging from transgenic alteration of CK biosynthetic, degradation and glucosylation activities and CK perception to detailed elucidation of molecular processes, in which CKs work as a trigger in model plants. The first attempts to improve the quality of crop plants, focused on cereals are discussed, together with proposed mechanism of action of the responses involved.

Department of Molecular Biology Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research Palacký University Šlechtitelů 11 783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic

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Induction of microspore embryogenesis in bread wheat by mannitol pre-treatment is associated with the disruption of endogenous hormone balance and substantial accumulation of auxins

Soil nutrient status of KwaZulu-Natal savanna and grassland biomes causes variation in cytokinin functional groups and their levels in above-ground and underground parts of three legumes

Cytokinin N-glucosides: Occurrence, Metabolism and Biological Activities in Plants

Applications of Cytokinins in Horticultural Fruit Crops: Trends and Future Prospects

Modification of Barley Plant Productivity Through Regulation of Cytokinin Content by Reverse-Genetics Approaches

Cytokinin-Specific Glycosyltransferases Possess Different Roles in Cytokinin Homeostasis Maintenance

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) SlIPT3 and SlIPT4 isopentenyltransferases mediate salt stress response in tomato

Overexpression of cytokinin dehydrogenase genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Golden Promise) fundamentally affects morphology and fertility