Question

Give the chemical features of abscisic acid.

Answer 1

The chemical features of Abscisic acid are:

1. It promotes abscission of leaves and induces dormancy in many plants.
2. It controls the dormancy in buds and seeds by inhibiting growth processes.
3. It accelerates the senescence of leaves, flowers and fruits.
4. It inhibits and delays cell division and cell elongation and suppresses cambium activity by inhibiting mitosis in vascular cambium.
5. ABA could cause the efflux of K⁺ ions from the guard cells and result in the closure of stomata. So, it is known as an antitranspirant.
6. It acts as a stress hormone by inducing the plant to bear adverse environmental conditions.
7. It inhibits flowering in long-day plants but stimulates flowering in short-day plants.