Gibberellins were discovered before World War II by Japanese scientists trying to explain the abnormally tall growth of rice. Gibberellins occur in high concentrations in developing seeds and have important functions in germination and control of dormancy.
Gibberellins also occur in high levels in shoot meristems and promote stem elongation by stimulating cell division and elongation. Dwarf plants are usually impaired for gibberellin biosynthesis or perception.
