Abscisic Acid Applications for Drought Management in Crop Systems
Summary
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a sesquiterpene phytohormone central to the regulation of plant water status and drought tolerance. Under water deficit, endogenous ABA accumulates rapidly, triggering stomatal closure to reduce transpirational water loss and activating gene networks that enhance osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defence and root growth. Exogenous application of ABA or modulation of its metabolism has been explored as a strategy to pre-emptively bolster crop resilience during critical developmental stages. Foliar sprays, soil drenches or seed treatments with ABA or inhibitors of ABA catabolism can improve water-use efficiency without unduly compromising photosynthetic capacity. Advances in formulation and timing have demonstrated that low-dose ABA applications at anthesis or early grain fill can sustain yield under intermittent drought, while targeted manipulation of ABA 8′-hydroxylase activity through transgenic or chemical means can fine-tune endogenous hormone homeostasis. Integration of ABA-based treatments into irrigation scheduling and breeding programmes offers a practical route to mitigate yield losses in cereals, legumes and horticultural crops grown under increasingly erratic rainfall patterns.
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Abscisic Acid Applications for Drought Management in Crop Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in abscisic acid applications for drought management in crop systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Abscisic acid (ABA): A plant hormone that mediates stomatal closure and stress-responsive gene expression under water deficit.
ABA 8′-hydroxylase: Enzyme responsible for ABA catabolism, converting ABA into inactive forms and thus regulating hormone homeostasis.
Antitranspirant: Substance applied to leaf surfaces to restrict stomatal water loss, often by forming a thin polymer film.
Stomatal conductance: Measure of the rate at which CO₂ enters, and water vapour exits, leaf stomata, used as an indicator of gas-exchange and transpiration.
References
- Control of Abscisic Acid Catabolism and Abscisic Acid Homeostasis Is Important for Reproductive Stage Stress Tolerance in Cereals1. Plant Physiology (2011).
- Yield improvement with antitranspirant application in droughted wheat associated with both reduced transpiration and reduced abscisic acid. The Journal of Agricultural Science (2024).
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