Abscisic acid and fruit ripening. Its role in grapevine acclimation to the environment: a case of study

BERLI F.; PICCOLI P.; BOTTINI R.

Hormones and Plant Response

Springer International Publishing

Año: 2021; p. 191 - 209

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a terpenic (C15) plant hormone produced by plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. In plants, ABA synthesis takes place in plastids indirectly via the methyl erythritol phosphate in the carotene pathway. ABA levels in plant tissues are regulated by biosynthesis, catabolism and reversible conjugation with glucose. Cell site synthesis correlates with ABA?s role regulating stomata closure. ABA alleviates the plant from hydric stress by closure of stomata that restricts water losses, although CO2 diffusion is also lessened and therefore photosynthesis limited. However, ABA is also essential for growth and yield in ?normal? non-stressful conditions, and even it may stimulate growth and yield under certain stressful situations and in different species by improving water use efficiency and relative carbohydrate accumulation. In fruits ABA participates in their growth, development and ripening, interplaying with other phytohormones and regulating a complex network of transcriptional factors. ABA control of grape berry maturation and its role in the acclimation of grapevines to solar ultraviolet-B and moder-ate water restriction is analyzed as a case of study. The results include yield increases by stimulation of fruit set, regulation of carbohydrate transport, enhancement of sterols associated with membrane stability, antioxidant enzymes activity and promotion of phloem tissue. ABA also stimulates biochemical changes in leaf and berries, increasing metabolites with antioxidant properties as phenolic and volatile organic compounds, affecting the advancement of berry ripening and the fruit characteristics of high-quality winemaking.