Levels of extractable abscisic acid in the mesocarp and seed of persisiting and abscising peach fruit

Developing fruits of peach cv. Andross were classified as to abscission potential on the basis of fruit growth rate during stage I. Levels of inhibitors were parallel in mesocarp and seed. Extracts from fruits with a high abscission potential contained significantly lower levels of an ABA-like inhibitor than did those with low or intermediate potential. Thus ABA content appeared to be positively correlated with the rate of fruit growth and increased in concentration as the fruit approached maturity.