How do cytokinins influence cell division in plant meristems?

Cytokinins are a class of plant hormones that play a fundamental role in regulating cell division and growth within plants. Synthesized primarily in the roots, these compounds move through the xylem to reach various parts of the plant, including the apical meristems—the regions at the tips of roots and shoots where active cell division and growth occur.123

In these meristematic regions, cytokinins act in conjunction with auxin to stimulate cell division. While the apical meristems serve as the source of new cells for the primary plant body, the presence and concentration of cytokinins are essential for maintaining normal growth and cell differentiation. Specifically, the balance between cytokinin and auxin levels is critical; for instance, in horticultural tissue culture, a high ratio of cytokinin to auxin encourages shoot development, whereas a low ratio promotes root development.123