ABSTRACT
The role of GABA in plants and its production in response to abiotic stress has been studied extensively. It has been suggested that GABA’s role under stress conditions is more related to stress perception rather than protection, since growth is not enhanced under stress conditions although GABA levels increase. Due to the nature of different stress-coping mechanisms in the same plant system, intensity and duration of the stressor seems to be important in GABA biosynthesis. This chapter reviews the roles of GABA as an abiotic stress responsive amino acid produced in response to diverse stimuli, including thermal shock, salinity, mechanical stimulation, hypoxia (anoxia) and osmotic stress.
