Developmental promoter.

Cytokinins induce cell proliferation, promote the development of new vegetative shoots and antagonize senescence. Cytokinins are also called signaling molecules because they regulate growth and development throughout the life of the plant.

Ion transport.

At the cellular level cytokinins and adenine use permeases coupled to the ATPase enzyme, known as proton pump, to cross the plasma membrane. The major synthesis of cytokinins takes place in the plastids and there are transporters that carry out the intracellular distribution of the hormone. Thus, once synthesized, they begin to be transported through the conducting vessels that go from the xylem to the phloem. Through this action they are distributed throughout the plant.  Once located in the phloem, it begins its participation in flower development.

Cytokinins promote the growth of meristems to provide a source of stem cells as a prerequisite for leaf formation, which will allow an increase in leaf area and greater photosynthetic capacity.