Updated Role of ABA in Seed Maturation, Dormancy, and Germination

Jul 6, 2026

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Abscisic acid (ABA) is a central plant hormone governing seed development and germination through coordinated biosynthesis, degradation, and signaling. Despite progress in identifying ABA-related genes and pathways, the complete ABA regulatory network underlying seed traits remains unclear. This review synthesizes ABA functions across developmental stages and seedling establishment, emphasizing the LAFL hub and multi-gene control by ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5. It also analyzes complex crosstalk between ABA and other phytohormones, highlighting key challenges and future directions for improving seed vigor and longevity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

Review Overview

ABA Functions Across Seed Development Stages

ABA Signaling Genes and the LAFL Hub

ABA–Phytohormone Crosstalk

Key Challenges and Future Perspectives

Journal of Advanced Research 35 (2022) 199–214 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Advanced Research journal [homepage: www. elsevier. com/locate/jare](homepage: www. elsevier. com/locate/jare) Updated role of ABA in seed maturation, dormancy, and germination Faiza Ali a, 1,2, Ghulam Qanmber a, 1,2, Fuguang Li a,b,2, ⇑, Zhi Wang a,b,2, ⇑ a Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China b State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China h i g h l i g h t s 􀀁 Functional ABA biosynthesis genes show speciﬁc roles for ABA accumulation at different stages of seed development and seedling establishment. 􀀁 De novo ABA biosynthesis during embryogenesis is required for late seed development, maturation, and induction of primary dormancy. 􀀁 ABA plays multiple roles with the key LAFL hub to regulate various downstream signaling genes in seed and seedling development. 􀀁 Key ABA signaling genes ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5 play important multiple functions with various cofactors during seed development such as degreening, desiccation tolerance, maturation, dormancy, and seed vigor. 􀀁 The crosstalk between ABA and other phytohormones are complicated and important for seed development and seedling establishment. g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 25 December 2020 Revised 3 March 2021 Accepted 27 March 2021 Available online 31 March 2021 Keywords: Phytohormones Embryogenesis Desiccation tolerance Seed development, Seedling establishment a b s t r a c t Background: Seed is vital for plant survival and dispersion, however, its development and germination are inﬂuenced by various internal and external factors. Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the most important phytohormones that inﬂuence seed development and germination. Until now, impressive progresses in ABA metabolism and signaling pathways during seed development and germination have been achieved. At the molecular level, ABA biosynthesis, degradation, and signaling genes were identiﬁed to play important roles in seed development and germination. Additionally, the crosstalk between ABA and other hormones such as gibberellins (GA), ethylene (ET), Brassinolide (BR), and auxin also play critical roles. Although these studies explored some actions and mechanisms by which ABA-related factors regulate seed morphogenesis, dormancy, and germination, the complete network of ABA in seed traits is still unclear. Aim of review: Presently, seed faces challenges in survival and viability. Due to the vital positive roles in dormancy induction and maintenance, as well as a vibrant negative role in the seed germination of ABA, there is Peer review under responsibility of Cairo University. ⇑ Corresponding authors at: No. 38, Huanghedadao, Anyang 455000, China (F. Li). No. 157, Kexuedadao, Zhongyuan district, Zhengzhou 450001, China (Z. Wang). E-mail addresses: [aylifug@caas.cn](aylifug@caas.cn) (F. Li), [wangzhi01@caas.cn](wangzhi01@caas.cn) (Z. Wang). 1 These authors contributed equally to this work. 2 No. 157, Kexuedadao, Zhongyuan district, Zhengzhou 450001, China. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2021.03.011](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2021.03.011) 2090-1232/􀀁 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Cairo University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)). F. Ali, G. Qanmber, F. Li et al. Journal of Advanced Research 35 (2022) 199–214 a need to understand the mechanisms of various ABA regulators that are involved in seed dormancy and germination with the updated knowledge and draw a better network for the underlying mechanisms of the ABA, which would advance the understanding and artiﬁcial modiﬁcat

FAQs

What is the main role of ABA in seeds?

ABA regulates multiple aspects of seed development and germination, including acquisition of dormancy and control of germination-related processes.

Which genes are highlighted as key regulators in ABA signaling during seed development?

The review emphasizes ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5 as key ABA signaling genes with multiple functions across seed development and seedling establishment.

Why is ABA–other hormone crosstalk considered important?

The document states that interactions between ABA and other phytohormones are complex but critical, shaping outcomes in dormancy, maturation, and seedling establishment.

Jul 6, 2026

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