Tag: Abscisic acid

While abscisic acid (ABA) is a well-studied plant hormone crucial for stress responses, a specific vitamin, vitamin B6, has been found to play a vital and direct role in its regulation. This connection, mediated by vitamin B6's active form, reveals a complex interplay between vitamin synthesis and hormonal signaling in plants.

According to a 2017 review, approximately 92% of the U.S. adult population might have a deficient intake of abscisic acid (ABA) due to low consumption of fruits and vegetables. This critical phytohormone, also produced endogenously in mammals, is found in a variety of plant-based foods and plays a role in metabolism and immunity.

While many enjoy the sweet taste and soft texture of a ripe pear, few consider the complex biology behind its transformation. A key part of this process involves the plant hormone ethylene, which triggers and regulates the fruit's ripening. However, ethylene does not act alone; a complex network of phytohormones orchestrates the pear's entire life cycle from fruit set to senescence.

Scientific research confirms that strawberries contain natural plant hormones, known as phytohormones, that regulate their growth and ripening, but these are not the same as animal hormones. This distinguishes them from the endocrine systems found in animals and humans.