Antagonistic Action of Phenolic Compounds on Abscisic Acid-Induced Inhibition of Hypocotyl Growth

Abstract

ABA, a potent growth inhibitor, inhibits hypocotyl growth in the seedlings of Amaranthus caudatus. Trans-cinnamic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, tannin, coumarin, chalcone, rutin, morin, quercetin, and naringenin antagonize the action of ABA and remove the inhibition. Phenolic compounds themselves act as growth inhibitors in many plant tissues and their antagonistic action towards another inhibitor demonstrates a new regulatory role for this class of compounds.