Transport and metabolism of labelled abscisic acid in broad-bean plants (Vicia faba L.)

The movement of 2-¹⁴C-abscisic acid applied to a mature leaf of broad-bean plants ( Vicia faba L. cv. Aguadulce) was investigated by liquid scintillation counting and autoradiography. The radioactivity was readily transported into the whole plant by the phloem after 90 min. Thereafter, radioactivity moved towards the upper part of the plant, where it accumulated in the young growing leaves and in the apical bud. During transport, 2-¹⁴C- ABA was slightly metabolized, and a subsequent rapid metabolism occurred in the young leaves of the apical part of the plant and in the axillary buds released from apical dominance in decapitated plants. Transport of exogenous ABA from the apical bud presented the characteristics of a diffusion transport.