Research on Abscisic acid

IISER Bhopal scientists’ study on seed germination

Introduction:

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, has conducted a study on seed germination that could have a major impact on agriculture in the long run by helping determine the optimum timing of seed germination and thus ensure high plant yields.
The study focused on the interplay between plant hormones like Abscisic acid (ABA) which inhibit the sprouting of the seed, environmental cues like light which promotes the sprouting process and

Darkness

The mechanisms underlying germination inhibition by ABA protein have been the subject of intensive research.
There is scant knowledge about the mechanisms controlled by ABA for arresting the post-germination growth in response to environmental cues.

Abscisic acid (ABA)

Abscisic acid is a plant hormone. It modulates plant growth and development.
ABA functions in many plant developmental processes, including seed and bud dormancy, the control of organ size and stomatal closure.
It acts as a master regulator of the seed’s growth by controlling several aspects of plant development, including seed dormancy and germination, as well as controlling growth under adverse conditions such as drought or salinity.
ABA signals the seed not to germinate until there are favourable conditions for growth.
If the stress comes after the germination of a seed, ABA suppresses further growth of the seedling. This inhibition leads the seedling to invest its energies less in its growth and more in defence mechanisms designed to ensure its survival.

Significance of the research:

The research has proved that the inhibition of seedling growth by ABA is much stronger in darkness as compared to light conditions.
Understanding the complex factors that modulate ABA sensitivity is vital to developing economically important plant varieties that have better tolerance to stress conditions.

Source: TH

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