What are substances that alter the growth or development of a plant or animal, excluding fertilizers or food?

Substances that alter the growth or development of a plant or animal are known as growth regulators. These substances are specifically designed to influence processes such as cell division, elongation, and differentiation, which are critical in the regulation of growth. Growth regulators can be applied to modify behaviors such as flowering, fruit-setting, and root development, making them distinct from fertilizers or food that primarily provide essential nutrients to support growth.

In contrast, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are primarily aimed at controlling pests, weeds, and fungal diseases, respectively, rather than directly influencing the inherent growth processes of plants or animals. While these other substances can indirectly affect growth by protecting plants from harmful organisms or competitive species, they do not alter the physiological processes of growth and development in the same fundamental way that growth regulators do.