Indol-3-ylacetic acid

An auxin plant growth regulator, also called indole acetic acid and commonly abbreviated IAA. It controls cell elongation, root initiation, and fruit development in plants. In food science it matters to horticulture and post-harvest physiology, where auxin activity influences ripening, sprouting, and the storage behaviour of fruits and vegetables. As the principal natural auxin, it is the reference compound against which synthetic plant growth regulators are compared in agricultural research. Commercial formulations are used to promote rooting in horticultural propagation.