Abscisic acid can augment, but is not essential for, autumnal leaf senescence

Abstract Senescence vividly marks the onset of the final stages of the life of a leaf, yet the triggers and drivers of this process are still not fully understood. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is an important regulator of leaf senescence in model herbs, but the function of this hormone has not been widely tested in deciduous trees. Here we investigate the importance of ABA as a driver of leaf senescence in winter deciduous trees. In four diverse species we tracked leaf gas exchange, water potential, chlorophyll content, and leaf ABA levels from the end of summer until leaves were abscised or died. We found that no change in ABA levels occurred at the onset of chlorophyll decline or throughout the duration of leaf senescence. To test whether ABA could enhance leaf senescence, we girdled branches to disrupt ABA export in the phloem. Girdling increased leaf ABA levels in two of the species, and this increase triggered an accelerated rate of chlorophyll decline in these species. We conclude that an increase in ABA level may augment leaf senescence in winter deciduous species but that it is not essential for this annual process. Increases in leaf ABA levels do not drive natural leaf senescence in autumn, but can enhance senescence rates.