Physiology of abscisic acid (ABA) in roots under stress—a review of the relationship between root ABA and radial water and ABA flows
Wolfram Hartung A B , Daniela Schraut A and Fan Jiang AA Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Würzburg, Lehrstuhl Botanik I, Julius-von-Sachs Platz 2, D 97082 Würzburg, Germany.
B Corresponding author. Email: hartung@botanik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56(11) 1253-1259 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR05065
Submitted: 7 March 2005 Accepted: 29 June 2005 Published: 29 November 2005
Abstract
Abscisic acid (ABA), the universal plant stress hormone, is accumulated in roots subjected to a range of external stresses, including drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies. This accumulation is regulated by ABA-metabolism (biosynthesis and degradation), -recirculation, and -exudation. Stress ABA serves as a long-distance signal regulating the water relations of shoots (stomata, meristems) and roots (hydraulic conductivity, root development, desiccation tolerance). Endogenous ABA, radial water flows (JV), and radial ABA flows (JABA) are closely coupled. Here we described the relations between these processes that are crucial factors for the role of ABA as a stress hormone and a long-distance stress signal. Crop varieties with high ABA concentrations exhibit an intensified long distance ABA signalling that reduces water consumption and, in the case of grapevine, improves the quality of the berries.
Additional keywords: drought, hydraulic conductivity, nutrient deficiency, root development, salt.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Dr Hermann Heilmeier (Technische Universität, Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany) for stimulating discussions and to Mrs Bianca Roeger for skilful technical help. The work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgeieminschaft (DFG).
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