Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2025, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (3): 472-482.DOI: 10.11983/CBB24133  cstr: 32102.14.CBB24133

• SPECIAL TOPICS • Previous Articles    

Research Progress on Factors and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Plant Organ Abscission

Liu Xupeng, Wang Min, Han Shou'an, Zhu Xuehui, Wang Yanmeng, Pan Mingqi, Zhang Wen*()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Genome Research and Genetic Improvement of Xinjiang Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Pomology (Xinjiang), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, Institute of Horticultural Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
  • Received:2024-08-30 Accepted:2025-01-20 Online:2025-05-10 Published:2025-01-21
  • Contact: *E-mail: zwxilin@126.com

Abstract: The organs abscission is a phenomenon in which parts of organs are separated from the body. It is an adaptive strategy evolved by plants in the process of growth and response to environmental changes, which ensures the normal growth and adaptation of plants to the environment. This process involves the abscission zone formation, signal activation, cell separation, and is regulated by both internal (in vivo) physiological processes and external environmental factors including light, temperature, and humidity. In agricultural production, the abscission of plant organs directly affects crop yield. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of plant organ abscission is greatly important for improving crop yield. In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in the study of organ abscission mechanisms. The studies showed that the mechanisms of organ abscission in plants are largely conservative between species, but also with significant variations. This review delved into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of plant organ abscission, and summarized the effects of both the environmental factors and the hormones and enzymes in the process. The review provides a solid theoretical support and practical guidance for crop genetic breeding and agricultural production improvement in connection with organ abscission.

Key words: organ abscission, abscission zone, molecular mechanism, enzyme, phytohormone