ABSCISIC ACID INDUCES LAND FORM CHARACTERISTICS IN MARSILEA QUADRIFOLIA L.

In aseptically cultured rhizome segments of the aquatic fern Marsilea quadrifolia, the addition of abscisic acid (ABA) to the liquid medium induced development of morphological characteristics distinctive to the land form of the plant. The land-form characteristics induced by ABA included a change in leaf morphology, an increase in the surface area of leaflets, differentiation of stomata and trichomes, elongation of petioles and roots, development of lateral roots, shortening of rhizome, and reduction in the number of leaves and roots formed on each plant.