Gibberellic and kaurenoic hybrid strigolactone mimics for seed germination of parasitic weeds.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic weeds are widespread and cause significant losses in important crops. Their germination requires the detection of crop-derived molecules such as strigolactones. Strigolactone mimics are germination-inducing molecules with the potential to apply a suicidal germination strategy for seed bank control of parasitic weeds.

RESULTS: The D-ring, which is instrumental in the germination process of seeds of parasitic weeds, was attached to gibberellin (GA3 ) and kaurenoic acid as the scaffold. It was shown that indeed strigolactone mimics prepared from GA3 and kaurenoic acid are active as stimulants when a D-ring is present; some of the mimics are as active as GR24.

CONCLUSIONS: The starting molecules were plant hormones that had previous growth-regulating activity in other organisms and the products showed enhanced activity towards parasitic weeds. The information generated may contribute to a better understanding of the germination biochemistry of the weed species used. Further research is required in this area but it is clear that the results are promising. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.