Seedling establishment is a critical developmental stage in the plant life cycle, marking the transition from heterotrophic to autotrophic growth. It encompasses a coordinated physiological process involving seed germination, root breakthrough, hypocotyl elongation, cotyledon expansion, and the construction of the primary photosynthetic system. The quality of this process directly determines the subsequent growth trajectory and environmental adaptability of the plant. Hormones, as core components of the plant's signaling molecule network, precisely regulate the entire seedling establishment process through accurate synthesis, metabolism, signal transduction, and interactions, ensuring the temporal sequence and coordination of developmental events. Under different environmental conditions, plants can achieve adaptive development by adjusting key parameters of hormonal regulation mechanisms. This process relies on precise expression of genes related to hormone synthesis and metabolism, efficient operation of signal transduction pathways, transcription factor-mediated regulation, dynamic adjustments of epigenetic modifications, and synergistic gene interactions. Based on this, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of hormonal regulation mechanisms during seedling establishment. It not only reveals the molecular regulatory patterns of early plant development and enhances the theoretical framework of plant developmental biology but also offers crucial theoretical support for breeding plant varieties with strong seedling vigor and excellent stress resistance.

Ruyi Tao, Xingyi Wang. Hormonal regulatory mechanisms during seedlings establishment. Academic Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 1: 16-21. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJALS.2026.070103.

[1] Su JY, Zhu SM, Chen HW, et al. Effects of different exogenous hormones on seed germination and seedling growth of fresh grass fruit[J]. Journal of Yunnan Agricultural University (Natural Sciences), 2024, 39(02):93-100.

[2] Li Tingju, Li Canlin, Ran Yi, et al. Effects of different sowing dates and hormone concentrations on the growth of Duyiwei seedlings and their medicinal components [J]. Grassland Science, 2023, (06):49-59.

[3] Qiu Yujie. Effects of different hormone treatments on seedling emergence and growth of Atractylodes macrocephala (Baiji) in direct seeding [D]. Sichuan Agricultural University, 2019.

[4] Li Wuqin, Zeng Yixin, Chen Guangyong, et al. Effects of exogenous hormones on physiological resistance of tobacco seedlings under salt stress [J]. Shandong Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 50(09):36-39.

[5] Huang Tao, An Yanru, Peng Liang, et al. Effects of exogenous hormone treatment on the germination and seedling growth of Polygala tenuifolia seeds [J]. China Journal of Experimental Formulary, 2018,24(20):50-55.

[6] Force, E., Lamy, D., Debernard, S., Savouré, A., & Dacher, M. Developmental transitions involve common biological processes across living beings[J]. Heliyon, 2025, 11(6).

[7] Baskin, C. C., & Baskin, J. M. The rudimentary embryo: an early angiosperm invention that contributed to their dominance over gymnosperms[J]. Seed Science Research, 2023, 33(2), 63-74.

[8] Pessarakli, M., Haghighi, M., & Sheibanirad, A. Plant responses under environmental stress conditions[J]. Adv. Plants Agric. Res, 2015, 2(6), 276-286.