The study looked at how a plant hormone called abscisic acid (ABA) can protect rice seedling leaves from damage caused by too much sunlight. ABA helped the leaves maintain their photosynthetic efficiency and reduced the impact of high light intensity on them. This protective effect of ABA is linked to a process called the xanthophyll cycle. Overall, the results show that ABA can shield rice seedlings from the harmful effects of intense light, helping them to survive and thrive.