Gibberellic acid (also called Gibberellin A3, GA, and (GA3) is a hormone found in plants. Its chemical formula is C19H22O6. When purified, it is a white-to-pale-yellow crystalline powder, soluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in water.
Gibberellic acid is a simple gibberellin, promoting growth and elongation of cells. It affects decomposition of plants and helps plants grow if used in small amounts, but eventually plants develop tolerance for it. Gibberellic acid stimulates the cells of germinating seeds to produce mRNA molecules that code for hydrolytic enzymes. Gibberellic acid is a very potent hormone whose natural occurrence in plants controls their development.
Gibberellins have a number of effects on plant development. They can:
1) stimulate rapid stem growth
2) induce mitotic division in the leaves of some plants
3) increase seed germination rate.