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Abscisic acid

(Science: biochemistry) a lipid hormone that inhibits cell growth in plants, it is associated with fruit drop, leaf death and seed dormancy. It is synthesised in the plastids from carotenoids. This hormone helps plants deal with water loss, and its effects can be reversed with gibberellins. Partly responsible for leaf Abscission in aging or diseased plants and also responsible for promoting dormancy in buds and seeds, abscisic acid is a plant growth substance which is also involved in the induction of dormant buds and seeds.