What is the primary function of growth regulators?

Growth regulators play a crucial role in altering the natural growth processes of plants and animals. They are substances that can modify the physiological processes, affecting aspects such as growth rate, flowering, fruiting, and maturation. By influencing these growth patterns, growth regulators can enhance plant development and productivity, making them significant in agricultural practices. This allows for better management of crop production, as they can be used to synchronize flowering or delay aging in plants, ensuring optimal harvest times and improving overall yields.

In contrast, the other options revolve around different functions. For example, aiding in harvest pertains more to mechanization or timing rather than altering growth processes. Repelling pests is a function of pesticides, not growth regulators, and improving soil fertility relates to soil amendments and nutrients rather than direct influences on plant growth.