and inhibition
of protein synthesis [7]. Interestingly, ABA deficient mutants of Arabidopsis showed an early germinating
phenotype [27] [28]. In contrast, ABA is known to play a positive role in seed maturation and dormancy [27]
[29]. In the present study, comparatively higher amounts of both free (the biologically active form) and conjugated
forms of endogenous ABA was found in the Cot than that in the Cot E explants of mature V. radiata seeds,
indicating the possible role of higher ABA content in the former explant type in delaying the shoot regeneration
response.