Abscisic Acid accumulation in cotton leaves in response to dehydration at high pressure.

Pressure-volume techniques were utilized to examine the control of abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in dehydrated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Tamcot SP 37) leaves. Leaves were rapidly dehydrated in a pressure chamber to a balance pressure coincident with the loss of cellular turgor, and then the pressure was either maintained at that level or released. Rapid accumulation of ABA began within two hours after the balance pressure was achieved, whether or not the high pressure potential of the cells was maintained by the externally imposed pressure. The results show that loss of pressure per se does not trigger ABA accumulation in dehydrated leaves. Rather, the stimulus may be related to cellular shrinkage and relaxation of the elastic wall.