Both ethylene and ABA are responsible for

Options

A. Promoting the abscission of leaves and fruits
B. Inducing dormancy of seeds
C. Stimulation of apical dominance
D. Ripening

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Role of Ethylene**:
- Ethylene is a plant hormone that plays a crucial role in various processes. It is primarily known for promoting the ripening of fruits, inducing abscission (the shedding of leaves and fruits), and facilitating senescence (aging of plant tissues). Additionally, ethylene can break seed dormancy, allowing germination to occur.

2. **Identify the Role of Abscisic Acid (ABA)**:
- Abscisic acid (ABA) is another important plant hormone, often referred to as the stress hormone. Its primary functions include promoting abscission, inducing seed dormancy, and helping plants respond to stress conditions. ABA prevents seed germination during unfavorable conditions by keeping seeds in an inactive state.

3. **Compare the Functions of Ethylene and ABA**:
- Both ethylene and ABA are involved in promoting abscission of leaves and fruits. However, they have opposing roles regarding seed dormancy: ethylene breaks dormancy, while ABA promotes it. Ethylene is also specifically associated with the ripening of fruits, while ABA does not have this function.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The common function of both ethylene and ABA is that they promote the abscission of leaves and fruits. They also have distinct roles in seed dormancy, with ABA promoting dormancy and ethylene breaking it.