ABA increased soybean yield by enhancing production of carbohydrates and their allo-cation in seed.

REINOSO H, TRAVAGLIA C Y BOTTINI R.

Soybean-Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physiology

INTECH

Año: 2011; p. 577 - 598

The results obtained in the experiments with soybean grown in field conditions support the idea that ABA enhances yield by a combination of factors. Therefore, foliar application of ABA may be an alternative tool for enhancing yield of short-cycle soybean, since it gives relief to temporary situations of water stress, such as the stress that happens in the hours of maximum irradiance, where an imbalance between water transpiration and absorption it is frequently produced. ABA seems to improve a combination of factors that contribute to increase the number of lateral roots and the density of the radical system, to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, to keep the stomata conductance more stable over the time, and to enhance carbon allocation and partitioning to the seeds. The results presented here are also related to those obtained for wheat and other species, and open the possibility for the future use of this hormone in commercial products. Although nowadays its relative cost is high, it has decreased remarkable in the last years and some commercial products are now registered around the world; besides, its application will not represent an environmental threat since ABA is a natural compound produced by plants, fungus and bacteria.