Baker & Baker's Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that plays a crucial role in agriculture, primarily in horticulture and plant propagation. Its uses are diverse and beneficial across various agricultural practices. Here's a description of its uses:

1. Root Development: IBA is widely used to promote root growth in plants. When applied as a rooting hormone, it stimulates the formation of roots in plant cuttings, helping them establish and develop into new plants. This is particularly useful in vegetative propagation methods such as stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and tissue culture.

2. Propagation: IBA is essential for the successful propagation of many plant species. By promoting root initiation and development, it enhances the survival rate of cuttings, allowing growers to multiply plants efficiently. This is especially valuable in the production of ornamental plants, fruit trees, and crops where vegetative propagation is common.

3. Transplantation: Prior to transplanting, treating seedlings or transplants with IBA can help in faster establishment and better root system development. It reduces transplant shock and improves the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, thereby enhancing its overall growth and productivity.

4. Stress Tolerance: IBA application can also improve a plant's resilience to various environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. By promoting root growth and nutrient uptake, it helps plants withstand adverse conditions and maintain their vigor and productivity.

5. Fruit Formation: In certain fruit crops, IBA is used to induce fruit setting and development. By applying it at specific stages of flowering, growers can enhance fruit growth, size, and quality, leading to improved yields and marketable produce.

6. Regulation of Growth: Apart from root development, IBA also influences other aspects of plant growth and development. It can regulate apical dominance, branching patterns, and flower initiation in some plant species, offering opportunities for crop management and shaping plant architecture.

7. Disease Management: Some studies suggest that IBA treatment may confer resistance to certain plant diseases. While not a direct fungicide or bactericide, it may enhance the plant's natural defense mechanisms, making it more resistant to pathogens.

Overall, indole-3-butyric acid is a versatile tool in agriculture, offering numerous benefits for plant propagation, growth enhancement, stress tolerance, and disease management. Its applications contribute significantly to improving crop productivity, sustainability, and resilience in modern agricultural systems.