What is the Difference Between Abscisic Acid and Gibberellins?

Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs) are two types of plant hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth and development. They have some key differences in their functions and effects on plants:

1. Function: Abscisic acid is known for its role in inhibiting growth, promoting dormancy of seeds, buds, and tubers, and promoting stomatal closure. Gibberellins, on the other hand, promote growth, overcome the natural dormancy of seeds, bulbs, tubers, etc., and allow them to germinate.
2. Seed Germination: Abscisic acid inhibits seed germination, while gibberellins induce germination.
3. Flowering: Abscisic acid promotes flowering in some short day plants, while gibberellins promote flowering in some long day plants.
4. Stomatal Closure: Abscisic acid promotes stomatal closure, while gibberellins help in opening of stomata.
5. Amylase Activity: Abscisic acid inhibits amylase activity, while gibberellins promote amylase activity during the germination of cereal grains.
6. Fruit Development: Gibberellins promote the development of fruits, while abscisic acid has no direct role in fruit development.
7. Leaf Senescence: Abscisic acid promotes leaf senescence, while gibberellins prevent leaf senescence.

In summary, abscisic acid and gibberellins are two different types of plant hormones that have distinct functions in plant growth and development, with abscisic acid generally inhibiting growth and promoting dormancy, and gibberellins promoting growth and germination.

Comparative Table: Abscisic Acid vs Gibberellins

Abscisic Acid (ABA) and Gibberellins (GA) are two important plant hormones that regulate various aspects of plant growth and development. Here is a table comparing their differences:

Abscisic Acid is an isoprenoid plant hormone, while Gibberellins are tetracyclic diterpene acids. They antagonistically mediate several plant developmental processes, including seed maturation, seed dormancy and germination, primary root growth, and flowering time control.