Abscisic acid promotes lignin and suberin formation for potato wound healing

Mechanical injury readily occurs in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), increasing food safety risks and reducing quality. Understanding wound-healing mechanisms is critical for lowering quality deterioration and improving food quality management. In this study, wounded potatoes were treated with exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) to clarify its role in wound healing. 2 mM ABA accelerated wound healing by inducing rapid deposition of lignin and suberin polyphenolic (SPP), strengthening the physical barrier at the wound surface. Metabolomic analysis showed that ABA enhanced phenylpropanoid metabolism and increased levels of phenolic acids involved in antimicrobial defense and lignin synthesis. Notably, ABA increased lignin precursor levels facilitating cell wall thickening at the wound site. Meanwhile, ABA treatment promoted the accumulation of suberin polyaliphatic (SPA) derived depolymerized fatty acids, contributing to the formation of a compact hydrophobic barrier. Collectively, ABA accelerates potato wound healing by coordinating phenolics and aliphatic monomers, strengthening defenses and aiding food quality management.