Bolting (horticulture)

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In

Bolting is induced by plant hormones of the gibberellin family,^{[citation needed]} and can occur as a result of several factors, including changes in day-length, the prevalence of high temperatures at particular stages in a plant's growth-cycle, and the existence of stresses such as insufficient water or minerals. These factors may interact in a complex way.^[1] Day-length may affect the propensity to bolt in that some plants are "long day plants", some are "short day plants" and some are "day neutral" (see photoperiodism), so for example when a long day plant, such as spinach, experiences increasingly long days that reach a particular length, it will tend to bolt.^[3] Low or high temperatures can affect the propensity of some plants to bolt if they occur for sufficient periods at particular points in the life-cycle of the plant; once these conditions have been met, plants that require such a trigger will subsequently bolt - regardless of subsequent temperatures.^[1] Plants under stress may respond by bolting so that they can produce seeds before they die.^{[citation needed]}

Plant breeders have introduced cultivars of "bolt-proof" crops that are less prone to the condition.^[1]

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