Root to Shoot Communication in Maize Plants of the Effects of Soil Drying

Seedlings of Zea mays L. (John Innes hybrid) were grown withroots divided between two containers such that part of the rootsystem could reduce the water potential of the soil in its immediatevicinity while the rest of the root system was well suppliedwith water. When compared to plants rooted in two pots of moistsoil, drying of part of the root system resulted in partialclosure of stomata, even though leaf water potential, turgorand abscisic acid (ABA) content remained unaffected. When leafpieces were removed from the two groups of plants and incubatedunder conditions favourable for stomatal opening, stomata ofthe ‘half-watered’ plants still showed restrictedapertures. Incubation in kinetin (10 mmol m^–3) or zeatin(100 mmol m^–3) reversed the closure of stomata stimulatedby soil drying. These results suggest that a continuous supplyof cytokinin from roots may be necessary to sustain maximalstomatal opening and an interruption of this supply due to soildrying may act as an indicator of inhibited root activity, resultingin restricted stomatal opening and thereby restricted wateruse. Key words: Zea mays L., Soil drying, Stomata, Roots     

The Effects of Cytokinins and ABA on Stomatal Behaviour of Maize and Commelina

Epidermal strips and leaf fragments of Commelina and leaf fragmentsof maize were incubated on solutions containing naturally-occurringor synthetic cytokinins and/or ABA. The effects of these treatmentson stomatal behaviour were assessed. Cytokinins alone did notpromote stomatal opening in either species but concentrationsof both zeatin and kinetin from 10^–3 to 10^–1 molm^–3 caused some reversal of ABA-stimulated closure ofmaize stomata. The reversal of the ABA effect increased withincreasing cytokinin concentration. Cytokinins had no effecton ABA-stimulated closure of Commelina stomata. When appliedalone, at high concentration (10^–1 mol m^–3), toCommelina epidermis or leaf pieces both zeatin and kinetin restrictedstomatal opening. Key words: ABA, Cytokinins, Stomata, Maize, Commelina     

Osmotic Stress Temporarily Reverses the Inhibitions of Photosynthesis and Stomatal Conductance by Abscisic Acid--Evidence that Abscisic Acid Induces a Localized Closure of Stomata in Intact, Detached Leaves

Ward, D. A. and Drake, B. G. 1988. Osmotic stress temporarilyreverses the inhibitions of photosynthesis and stomatal conductanceby abscisic acid—evidence that abscisic acid induces alocalized closure of stomata in intact, detached leaves.—J.exp. Bot 39: 147–155. The influence of osmotic stress on whole leaf gas exchange wasmonitored in detached leaves of Glycine max supplied with anexogenous concentration (10^–5 mol dm^–3) of ±abscisicacid (ABA) sufficient to inhibit net photosynthesis and stomatalconductance by 60% and 70%, respectively, under a saturatingirradiance and normal air. Raising the osmotic (sorbitol) concentrationof the ABA solutions feeding leaves elicited rapid and synchronousreversals of the ABA-dependent inhibitions of net photosynthesisand conductance. These reversals reached a peak simultaneously,after which photosynthesis and conductance declined. The magnitudeof the transient stimulations at peak height was dependent uponthe sorbitol concentration of the ABA feeding solution, althoughthe time-course of the transients (half time, 4–6 min)was similar for the different osmotic concentrations applied.Irrespective of transient size the relative changes of photosynthesisand conductance were comparable; consequently the calculatedpartial pressure of CO₂ in the substomatal space (Ci) remainedrelatively constant during the transient phase. In contrastto the ABA-treated leaves, elevating the osmotic concentrationof the distilled water supply feeding control leaves stimulatedconductance to a much greater relative extent than photosynthesis.The co-stimulations of photosynthesis and conductance inducedin ABA-treated leaves by osmotic shock were not due to a restrictionin the transpirational uptake of ABA and occurred irrespectiveof the source osmoticum applied. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the ABA-dependentinhibition of photosynthesis at constant Ci is an artifact causedby the spatially heterogeneous closure of stomata in responseto ABA. Alternative explanations for the responses are, however,considered. Key words: Abscisic acid, photosynthesis, osmotic stress, Glycine max, stomatal conductance     

Stomatal Functioning of In Vitro and Greenhouse Apple Leaves in Darkness, Mannitol, ABA, and CO2

Leaves from in vitro and greenhouse cultured plants of Malusdomestica (Borkh.) cv. Mark were subjected to 4 h of darkness;4 h of 1 M mannitol induced water stress; 1 h of 10^–4M to 10^–7 M cis-trans abscisic acid (ABA) treatment; 1h of 0.12% atmospheric CO₂. Stomatal closure was determinedby microscopic examination of leaf imprints. In all treatments,less than 5% of the stomata from leaves of in vitro culturedplants were closed. The diameter of open stomata on leaves fromin vitro culture remained at 8 µm. In contrast, an averageof 96% of the stomata on leaves of greenhouse grown plants wereclosed after 4 h in darkness; 56% after 4 h of mannitol inducedwater stress; 90% after 1 h of 10^–4 M ABA treatment; 61%after 1 h in an atmosphere of 0.12% CO₂. Stomata of in vitroapple leaves did not seem to have a closure mechanism, but acquiredone during acclimatization to the greenhouse environment. Thelack of stomatal closure in in vitro plants was the main causeof rapid water loss during transfer to low relative humidity.     

Stomatal responses of Vicia faba L. to indole acetic acid and abscisic acid

Evidence is presented that stomata in isolated epidermal peelsof Vicia faba L. open in darkness in response to the externalpresence of indole acetic acid (IAA) in the incubation medium.The effect of IAA is found to be overcome completely in thepresence of either TRIS or MES buffers. In the absence of buffer,V. faba stomata are shown to be influenced by IAA in a concentration-dependenttrend which reached a maximum at an [IAA] of 10^–3 molm^–3. Further investigations reveal that stomata in thisspecies can be shown to respond to the presence of IAA and anotherphytohormone, abscisic acid (ABA). IAA and ABA are demonstratedto be antagonistic in their effects provided the incubationconditions are suitable. The data are discussed in relationto stomatal responses of other species in different treatmentconditions. Recommendations are made with respect to standardizationof incubation media during epidermal peel experiments. Key words: Vicia faba, stomata, indole acetic acid, abscisic acid, buffers     

Characterisation of Non-Uniform Photosynthesis Induced by Abscisic Acid in Leaves Having Different Mesophyll Anatomies

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on photosynthesis in leavesof Helianthus annuus L. were compared with those in leaves ofVicia faba L. After the ABA treatment, the response of photosyntheticCO₂ assimilation rate, A, to calculated intercellular partialpressure of CO₂, P_i, (A(p_i) relationship) was markedly depressedin H. annuus. A less marked depression was also observed inV.faba. However, when the abaxial epidermes were removed fromthese leaves, neither the maximum rate nor the CO₂ responseof photosynthetic oxygen evolution was affected by the applicationof ABA. Starch-iodine tests revealed that photosynthesis was not uniformover the leaves of H. annuus treated with ABA. The starch contentwas diffferent in each bundle sheath extension compartment (thesmallest subdivision of mesophyll by veins with bundle sheathextensions, having an area of ca. 0.25 mm² and ca. 50 stomata).In some compartments, no starch was detected. The distributionof open stomata, examined using the silicone rubber impressiontechniques, was similar to the pattern of starch accumulation.In V.faba leaves, which lack bundle sheath extensions, distributionof starch was more homogeneous. These results indicate that the apparent non-stomatal inhibitionof photosynthesis by ABA deduced from the depression of A(pⁱ)relationship is an artifact which can be attributed to the non-uniformdistribution of transpiration and photosynthesis over the leaf.Intercellular gaseous environment in the ABA-treated leavesis discussed in relation to mesophyll anatomy. ¹ Present address: Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham,NC 27706, U.S.A. (Received September 30, 1987; Accepted January 13, 1988)     

Changing Responses of Stomata to Abscisic Acid and CO2 as Leaves and Plants Age

Willmer, C. M., Wilson, A. B. and Jones, H. G. 1988. Changingresponses of stomata to abscisic acid and CO₂ as leaves andplants age.—J. exp. Bot. 39: 401–410. Stomatal conductances were measured in ageing leaves of Commelinacommunis L. as plants developed; stomatal responses to CO₂ andabscisic acid (ABA) in epidermal strips of C. communis takenfrom ageing leaves of developing plants and in epidermal stripsfrom the same-aged leaves (the first fully-expanded leaf) ofdeveloping plants were also monitored. Stomatal behaviour wascorrelated with parallel measurements of photosynthesis andleaf ABA concentrations. Stomatal conductance in intact leavesdecreased from a maximum of 0-9 cm s^{– 1} at full leaf expansionto zero about 30 d later when leaves were very senescent. Conductancesdeclined more slowly with age in unshaded leaves. Photosynthesisof leaf slices also declined with age from a maximum at fullleaf expansion until about 30 d later when no O₂ exchange wasdetectable. Exogenously applied ABA (0.1 mol m^{– 3}) didnot affect respiration or photosynthesis. In epidermal stripstaken from ageing leaves the widest stomatal apertures occurredabout 10 d after full leaf expansion (just before floweringbegan) and then decreased with age; this decrease was less dramaticin unshaded leaves. The inhibitory effects of ABA on stomatalopening in epidermal strips decreased as leaves aged and wasgreater in the presence of CO₂ than in its absence. When leaveswere almost fully-senescent stomata were still able to open.At this stage, guard cells remained healthy-looking with greenchloroplasts while mesophyll cells were senescing and theirchloroplasts were yellow. Similar data were obtained for stomatain epidermal strips taken from the same-aged leaves of ageingplants. The inhibitory effects of ABA on stomatal opening alsodecreased with plant age. In ageing leaves both free and conjugated ABA concentrationsremained low before increasing dramatically about 30 d afterfull leaf expansion when senescence was well advanced. Concentrationsof free and conjugated ABA remained similar to each other atall times. It is concluded that the restriction of stomatal movements inintact leaves as the leaves and plants age is due mainly toa fall in photosynthetic capacity of the leaves which affectsintracellular CO₂ levels rather than to an inherent inabilityof the stomata to function normally. Since stomatal aperturein epidermal strips declines with plant and leaf age and stomatabecome less responsive to ABA (while endogenous leaf ABA levelsremain fairly constant until leaf senescence) it is suggestedthat some signal, other than ABA, is transmitted from the leafor other parts of the plant to the stomata and influences theirbehaviour. Key words: Abscisic acid, CO₂, Commelina, leaf age, senescence, stomatal sensitivity     

Carrier-Mediated ABA Uptake by Suspension-Cultured Phaseolus coccineus L. Cells: Stereospecificity and Inhibition by Ionones and ABA Esters

Astle, M. and Rubery, P. 1987. Carrier-mediated ABA uptake bysuspension-cultured Phaseolus coccineus L. cells: Stereospecificityand inhibition by ionones and ABA esters.—J. exp. Bot.38: 150–163. The substrate for the abscisic acid (ABA) carrier in Phaseoluscoccineus L. suspension-cultured cells is shown to be the (S)ABAenantiomer, K_m = 1?0 mmol m^–3. The methyl (MeABA) andphenyl (PheABA) esters of ABA inhibit carrier-mediated uptakeof ABA with half-maximal inhibition achieved at about 7?0 mmolm^–3 and 10 mmol m^–3 respectively: with (S)MeABAthis value is decreased to about 2?0 mmol m^–3. There isno demethylation of radioactive MeABA by the cells during 5min incubations. Although MeABA reversibly inhibits the ABAcarrier, it is not a transport substrate: association of radioactiveMeABA with living cells is unaffected by non-radioactive MeABAor ABA and, by comparison with frozen-and-thawed cells, it isshown that the radioactivity remains extracellular. It is proposedthat MeABA binds to the carrier to form an abortive complexthat is not translocated. The terpenoid ABA analogue LAB 144143also inhibits carrier-mediated ABA uptake. At concentrationsup to about 20 mmol m^–3 - and ß-ionone specificallyinhibit the ABA carrier with the half-maximal effect at about0?6 mmol m^–3 ß-ionone. However, at higher iononeconcentrations, the uptake of ABA, indol-3-yl acetic acid andof 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO) are all stimulated:this may reflect general permeabilization of the membrane toweak acids by ionone. Key words: Uptake carrier, abscisic acid, methyl and phenyl esters of ABA, ionone, Phaseolus coccineus L. suspension culture     

Changes in Stomatal Conductance in Intact Ageing Wheat Leaves in Response to Abscisic Acid

The characteristics of ABA-induced changes in the fluxes ofCO₂ and water vapour from whole leaves of spring wheat (Triticumaestivum cv. Wembley) were examined. Aqueous solutions of ABAwere supplied via the transpiration stream to intact leavesof different ages mounted within a gas exchange cuvette. ABA caused a reduction in stomatal conductance (g) that wasproportional to the concentration in the solution fed to theleaf. For the maintenance of a reduction in g there was a requirementfor a continual supply of ABA. At concentrations greater than10^–2 mol m^–3 ABA reduced g by at least 50% of thecontrol value, while 1.0 mol m^–3 closed stomata within2 h. Concentrations as low as 10^–3 mol m^–3 produceda 20% reduction in g. As leaves aged they became less responsiveto applied ABA. The possibility that the stomatal response may change aftera leaf has previously experienced a pulse of ABA was exploredby repeating the exposure of a leaf to 10^–2 mol m^–3ABA. The first pulse of ABA produced a greater reduction ing than a subsequent exposure the following day. This declinein response of g to ABA on repeated exposure was maintainedwith leaves of different ages. The characteristics of the stomatal response to ABA are discussedin the context of what is known about the location of receptorsfor the hormone. It seems likely that a failure to respond toABA that has previously accumulated in the guard cells shouldbe viewed by means of maximizing the sensitivity to the currentsupply of ABA. It is suggested that the smaller response ofthe stomata of older leaves to ABA makes them more susceptibleto water stress, so that they can act as sensors for decliningwater potentials to give early protection to younger, metabolicallyactive leaves. Key words: Abscisic acid, leaf age, stomatal conductance, Triticum aestivum     

Responses of Commelina communis L. Guard Cell Protoplasts to Abscisic Acid

Fitzsimons, P. J. and Weyers, J. D. B. 1987. Responses of Commelinacommunis L. guard cell protoplasts to abscisic acid.—J.exp. Bot. 38: 992–1001. Guard cell protoplasts (GCPs) isolated from the leaf epidermisof Commelina communis L. responded to abscisic acid (ABA) ina manner which was qualitatively and quantitatively similarto that of intact stomata. ABA inhibited swelling of GCPs underlow-CO₂ conditions and swollen GCPs responded to the hormoneby shrinking. Both the absolute volume decrease and the initialrate of shrinking were commensurate with the extent and ratesof solute loss computed for ABA-treated intact, open stomata.This indicates that GCPs represent a suitable experimental systemfor studies of ABA-mediated solute fluxes. A radiotracer equilibrationmethod was developed for the rapid estimation of GCP osmoticvolume changes. Using this technique it was found that, on average,82% of the reduction in solute content caused by ABA treatmentwas due to the loss of K⁺. It is envisaged that electroneutralitymight be maintained during ABA-induced shrinkage of GCPs bynet inward proton movement leading to acidification of the vacuole. Key words: Abscisic acid, Commelina communis L., guard cells, protoplasts     

Identification of N6-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl) adenosine, zeatin, zeatin riboside, gibberellin A19 and abscisic acid in shoots of the hop plant

Young shoots of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) have beenfound to contain at least three cytokinins, one gibberellin,and abscisic acid. Two of the cytokinins were identified aszeatin riboside and N⁶-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)adenosine (2iPA)based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) afterseveral purification steps. Another cytokinin was assumed tobe zeatin from its chromatographic behavior. Gibberellin A₁₉was identified by GC-MS and mass fragmentography, and ABA characterizedby GC-MS. (Received March 30, 1978; )     

The Resolution by HPLC of RS-[2-14C]Me 1', 4'-cis-Diol of Abscisic acid and the Metabolism of (-)-R- and (+)-S-Abscisic Acid

The R- and S-enantiomers of racemic [2-¹⁴C]Me 1', 4'-cis-diolof abscisic acid have been separated by high performance liquidchromatography on an optically-active Pirkle column. R-[2-¹⁴C]-and S-[2-¹⁴C]abscisic acids, formed from the Me 1', 4'-cis-diolby oxidation and alkyline hydrolysis were fed to tomato shootsand the extracts analysed by reversed phase high performanceliquid chromatography. R-[2-¹⁴C]abscisic acid formed mainlythe abscisic acid glucose ester (ABAGE), abscisic acid l'-glucoside(ABAGS) and an uncharacterized conjugate. Dihydrophaseic acid4'-B-D-glucoside, the major metabolite of RS-abscisic acid intomato shoots, was found to be derived virtually exclusivelyfrom the natural, S-abscisic acid. Phaseic acid and conjugatesof abscisic acid were also found as products of the naturallyoccurring enantiomer. The resolution method was used to measurethe relative proportions of R and S enantiomers in the freeacid liberated from conjugates formed from RS-[2-¹⁴C]ABA fedto shoots. The ratios show an excess of the R-enantiomer: 5.8:1, ABAGE; 29.4: 1, ABAGE; 8.3: 1 for an uncharacterized conjugateand 6.1: 1 for the residual free [2-¹⁴C]ABA. Key words: ABA, HPLC, Tomato     

Ethylene and 1 -Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Production in flacca, a Wilty Mutant of Tomato, Subjected to Water Deficiency and Pre-treatment with Abscisic Acid

Neill, S. J., McGaw, B. A. and Horgan, R. 1986. Ethylene and1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid production in flacca,a wilty mutant of tomato, subjected to water deficiency andpretreatment with abscisic acid —J. exp. Bot. 37: 535–541. Plants of Lycoperstcon esculentum Mill. cv. Ailsa Craig wildtype and flacca (flc) were sprayed daily with H²O or 2?10^–2mol m^–3 abscisic acid (ABA). ABA treatment effected apartial phenotypic reversion of flc shoots; leaf areas wereincreased and transpiration rates decreased. Leaf expansionof wild type shoots was inhibited by ABA. Indoleacetic acid (IAA), ABA and l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylicacid (ACC) concentrations were determined by combined gas chromatography-massspectrometry using deuterium-labelled internal standards ABAtreatment for 30 d resulted in greatly elevated internal ABAlevels, increasing from 1?0 to 4?3 and from 0?45 to 4?9 nmolg^–1 fr. wt. in wild type and flc leaves respectively.Endogenous IAA and ACC concentrations were much lower than thoseof ABA. IAA content ranged from 0?05 to 0?1 nmol g^–1 andACC content from 0?07 to 0?24 nmol g^–1 Ethylene emanationrates were similar for wild type and flc shoots. Wilting of detached leaves induced a substantial increase inethylene and ACC accumulation in all plants, regardless of treatmentor type. Ethylene and ACC levels were no greater in flc leavescompared to the wild type. ABA pretreatment did not preventthe wilting-induced increase in ACC and ethylene synthesis. Key words: ABA, ACC, ethylene, wilting, wilty mutants     

Correlation of cytokinins and abscisic acid with monocarpic senescence in soybeans

The involvement of cytokinins and abscisic acid (ABA) in themonocarpic senescence (foliar yellowing following fruit development)of soybeans was examined. Foliar sprays of cytokinin (10^–4M zeatin or 10^–5 M benzyladenine), begun when the plantsfirst set fruit and repeated every other day, significantlydelayed, but did not prevent, monocarpic senescence. Foliarsprays of 10^–4 M ABA, applied in the same manner, significantlyhastened senescence of fruiting soybeans but apparently hadno effect on depodded plants. Leaf and stem material from pre-senescentand senescent plants was extracted, chromatographed, and bioassayedfor cytokinin-lilce activity (Amaranthus betacyanin productionassay) and ABA-like activity (oat coleoptile straight growthassay for inhibitors). ABA-like activity increased, and cytokinin-likeactivity decreased in shoot tissue before the plants began tosenesce. Cytokinin-like activity in the fruit also declinedduring this period. These results implicate a decrease in cytokininsand an increase in ABA-like inhibitors in the control of monocarpicsenescence of soybeans, but neither alone is causal. ¹ Supported in part by Research Grant 416-15-79 from the USDACooperative State Research Service under PL 89–106. ² Present address: Biology Dept., College of St. Benedict'sSt. Joseph, Minn. 56374, U.S.A. (Received February 4, 1978; )     

The Effect of EGTA, Calcium Channel Blockers (Lanthanum Chloride and Nifedipine) and their Interaction with Abscisic Acid on Seed Germination of Brassica juncea cv. RLM-198

Recent investigations have shown that abscisic acid (ABA) dependsupon the availability of Ca²⁺ for its action in certain systems.In order to check whether ABA requires Ca²⁺ to inhibit seedgermination, the effects of ABA, CaCl₂, EGTA (a Ca²⁺ chelator)and lanthanum chloride and nifedipine (Ca²⁺ channel blockers),individually and in combination, on seed germination of Brassicajuncea L. cv. RLM-198 were studied. ABA inhibited germinationin a concentration dependent manner. ABA-induced inhibitionwas abolished with the lapse of time after application. Calciumneither affected germination nor altered the ABA-induced inhibition.EGTA. La³⁺ and nifedipine suppressed seed germination when testedindividually and further elevated the ABA effect, in a synergisticway, when applied simultaneously. They also prevented the time-dependentreduction in ABA-induced inhibition. The findings indicate thatCa²⁺ is not essential for ABA to cause germination inhibition. EGTA, Ca²⁺ channel blockers, abscisic acid, seed germination, Brassica juncea     

Abscisic Acid Translocation and Influence of Water Stress on Grain Abscisic Acid Content

The movement of foliar applied [1-¹⁴C]abscisic acid (ABA) inwheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Kolibri) was investigatedat two stages of grain development (1000 grains, weight 19 and24 g dry matter). [1–¹⁴C]ABA seemed to be readily translocated within 12h into the developing grains as well as in other plant parts.A subsequent rapid metabolism took place leading to a decreasedactivity of the ABA-containing chromatogram fraction in theyounger plants 48 h after application. The metabolism seemodto be less intensive in the older grains, where the activityrunning with the ABA increased over 64 h. Treating the leaves of barley plants (Hordeum vulgare, L., cv.Union) 2 weeks after anthesis with a gentle stream of warm air(36° C) resulted in a significant increase in the ABA contentof all parts of the ear. The results mentioned above indicatethat this may be partially due to translocation from other partsof the plant such as the leaves.     

Characterization of a wilty sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mutant: I. Abscisic acid content, light-dark changes in the stomatal conductance and genetic analysis

The present study was conducted to characterize geneticallyand physiologically a spontaneous mutation in sunflower whichconfers a wilty phenotype. The wilting condition of the mutantis due to abnormal stomatal behaviour. The mutant stomata resistclosure in darkness. This abnormality is associated with lowlevels of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA). By artificially elevatingthe ABA content of the mutant plants by spray treatments with10^– and 10^– M solutions it proved possible to effecta phenotypic reversion of the mutant. It has, therefore, beenproposed that the primary effect of this spontaneous mutationis to reduce the level of ABA. The genetic analysis has shownthat the willy phenotype is due to recessive nuclear mutationat a single locus. Key words: ABA, Helianthus annuus L, stomatal conductance, wilty mutant     

ABA Levels and Effects in Chilled and Hardened Phaseolus vulgaris

Leaf abscisic acid (ABA) levels of chilled P. vulgaris weremeasured after 18 h chilling at 5°C, at a saturation deficitof 1.24 g m^–3 (SD), and after chilling in a water-saturatedatmosphere. Changes were also followed during a chill hardeningperiod of 4 d at 12°C, 2.1 g m^–3 SD. It was foundthat hardening resulted in an almost 5. fold increase in ABAlevels after 3 d at 12°C, and this decreased to approximatelycontrol levels on the fourth day. Subsequent chilling of hardenedplants produced no change in ABA levels from that of controlplants (22° C). In contrast, non-hardened plants chilledat 1.24 g m^–3 SD had ABA levels almost 3 times the levelof control plants. However, chilling in a water-saturated atmosphereresulted in a decrease in ABA levels. In addition, the response of leaf diffusion resistance (LDR)to exogenous ABA fed via the transpiration stream was measuredat 5 ° C and 22° C in hardened and non-hardened plants.Use of tritium-labelled ABA was made to calculate the stomatalsensitivity to ABA. It was found that exogenous ABA caused anincreased in LDR at 22°C in both hardened and non-hardenedplants. However, the sensitivity of the hardened plants to ABAwas greater in terms of rate of closure and amount of ABA requiredto close the stomata. At 5°C, however, ABA caused stomatalopening and the maintainance of open stomata in non-hardenedplants. In hardened plants, ABA caused stomatal closure at 5°C.These results are discussed in relation to the locking-openresponse of chilled P. vulgaris stomata. Key words: Chilling, Stomata, ABA, Phaseolus vulgaris     

Abscisic Acid Content and Effects During Dehydration of Detached Leaves of Desiccation Tolerant Plants

Borya nitida is an angiospcrm whose detached leaves developcomplete tolerance to dehydration when they are equilibratedto air of 96% r.h. This treatment causes leaves to yellow aschlorophyll is destroyed, and abscisic acid contents increaseseveral-fold. Exogenous ABA (at 0.038–0.38 mol m^–3)promoted desiccation tolerance (a) in leaves undergoing toleranceinduction at 96% r.h., (b) only slightly during rapid dryingat rates which are normally injurious, and (c) considerablyin turgid tissue treated with ABA 48 h before rapid drying. ABA content also increased with intense water stress in Myrothamnusflabellifolia, a desiccation tolerant angiosperm which, unlikeBorya, retains most of its chlorophyll when dehydrated. Preliminaryincubation in ABA of detached leaves of this ‘resurrectionplant’ also promoted survival during rapid drying. Theability of ABA to substitute for the normal induction periodsuggests that this hormone participates in the development ofdesiccation tolerance. Key words: Abscisic acid, ABA, Drought tolerance, Resurrection plant     

Root and Shoot Growth of Plants Treated with Abscisic Acid

Young seedlings of Capsicum annum L., Commelina communis L.and maize (Zea mays L.) were subjected to a mild water-stressingtreatment and/or treated with abscisic acid (ABA). Plants rootedin soil received a soil-drying treatment and their leaves weresprayed with a 10–⁴ M solution of ABA. Plants grown insolution culture were stressed by the addition of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) to the rooting medium and ABA was also added tothe rooting medium, either with or without PEG. The effectsof both treatments on the growth of roots and shoots and theultimate root: shoot dry weight ratio were very similar. Shootgrowth was limited both by water stress and by ABA application;while there was some evidence that mild water stress and/orABA application may have resulted in a stimulation of root growth.More severe water stress reduced the growth of roots but theoverall effect of stress was to increase the ratio of rootsto shoots. Capsicum annum L., Commelina communis L., Zea mays L., water stress, abscisic acid