Question

To speed up the malting process in the brewing industry the growth hormone used is_______.
a. Auxin
b. Gibberellin
c. Kinetin
d. Ethylene

Answer 1

Hint: Malting aims to convert or modify the physical structure of the barley grain and allow synthesis or activation of a series of enzymes such that the final product, malt, is more readily used in the subsequent stages of brewing, distilling, or food manufacture.

Complete answer:
Let us know about the use and application.
> Fruit growth: Gibberellins are used to increase the size of apple as well as improve its shape and increase bunch length in grapes.

> Delayed ripening: with the help of gibberellins, ripening of fruits can be delayed so that their plucking can be postponed. Thus, fruits can be left on the tree longer to extend the period of marketing.

> Malt yield: It is used to speed up the malting process in the brewing industry. It increases the yield of malt from barley grains.

> Sugarcane: Carbohydrate in the form of sugar is stored in the stems of sugarcane. When gibberellin is sprayed on sugarcane crops, the length of the stem increases.

> Quicker maturity: In juvenile conifers, gibberellin is quicker early growth so that maturity is reached early.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Additional information:
The effect of gibberellins has been known in Japan for over a century. Japanese farmers observed that certain rice seedlings in their fields grew excessively tall and became weak and sterile. It was found that it is a type of disease from which the seedlings suffered known as ‘bakane’ or ‘foolish seedling’ disease.

Note: Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation and other aerial parts. Therefore, these increase the size of stem and fruits. However, gibberellins do not affect roots. It stimulates the synthesis of various types of hydrolytic enzymes for mobilisation of reserve food, e.g., amylases, proteases.