Question

Where is Abscisic acid produced in plants?

Answer 1

Plants contain several hormones that stimulate processes that are essential for them to survive such as the Abscisic acid (ABA) which is involved in several developmental plant processes, like dormancy and environmental stress response.

Complete answer:
Humans possess glands that synthesise hormones at different times in order to stimulate body processes like growth, development, and the breaking down of sugars. Similarly, plants also contain hormones that stimulate processes that are essential for them to survive. This hormone, found in plants, is known as Abscisic acid (ABA). It is involved in various developmental processes in plants like; dormancy and environmental stress response. This hormone (ABA) is produced in the roots of the plant. It is also produced in the terminal buds at the top of the plant.

It is involved in various plant functions. Stomatal openings are present on the bottom side of their leaves that help in gaseous exchange and also regulate water content. Abscisic acid helps in the closing of these stomatal pores during times when the plant does not require as much carbon dioxide or during times of drought when the plant cannot afford to lose its water through the process of transpiration.

One of its crucial functions is to inhibit seed germination. Abscisic acid is known to stop a seed from immediately germinating once it has been placed in the soil. It actually brings about a period of dormancy in the plant seeds. This is extremely essential to the plants since the majority of the seeds are formed at the end of the growing season i.e. when the weather conditions are not favourable for a new plant to sprout. The abscisic acid keeps the seed dormant until the conditions are favourable for it to grow. This ensures better success in the growth and reproduction of the plant.

Therefore Abscisic acid is produced in the roots of the plant.

Note: The hormone that acts antagonistically to Abscisic acid (ABA) is known as Gibberellic acid (GA). It is a plant hormone that regulates plant growth. It stimulates stem elongation, germination, and flowering. It helps in the seed dormancy and initiates the process of germination.