Has a 11,12(11',12') 9-cis epoxycarotenoid cleavage activity. Catalyzes the first step of abscisic-acid biosynthesis from carotenoids. a 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid + O2 = 2-cis,4-trans-xanthoxin + a 12'-apo-carotenal 9-cis-violaxanthin + O2 = (3S,5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al + 2-cis,4-trans-xanthoxin 9'-cis-neoxanthin + O2 = (3S,5R,6R)-3,5-dihydroxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6-dihydro-12'-apo-beta-caroten-12'-al + 2-cis,4-trans-xanthoxin Binds 1 Fe(2+) ion per subunit. Expressed in vascular bundles of roots and leaves, vascular parenchyma cells of leaves, anther filaments, xylem tissue of anthers, embryos, radicles and coleoptiles. Induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and salt (PubMed:18326788, PubMed:25283804). Induced by drought stress (PubMed:20838584, PubMed:25418692, PubMed:25283804, PubMed:25735958). Induced by D-allose (PubMed:23397192). Induced by infection with the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) (PubMed:23826294, PubMed:26718470). Down-regulated by submergence (PubMed:17205969). Belongs to the carotenoid oxygenase family.