Effects of triazolium compounds (paclobutrazol, uniconazole, and azovit), applied under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, on growth of barley plants ( Hordeum vulgare L., cvs. Moskovskii 2 and Zazerskii 85) and ABA content in their tissues were studied for the first time. At various application techniques, the retardants suppressed growth of axial organs, promoted thickening and strengthening of lower internodes, and caused a considerable increase in ABA content. These changes were observed already on the next day after spraying plants with retardants and maintained for two weeks after the spraying treatment. At the same time, the retardant action sustained for 42 days when the retardants were applied to soil. The triazoles had positive effects on plant productivity characteristics, such as the number of filled grains in the main spike, total weight of grain per plant (grain collected from the main and lateral spikes), and the weight of 1000 grains. It was concluded that the retardant effect of triazoles on spring barley plants is related to elevated ABA content in plant tissues over a prolonged growth period.