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

BACKGROUND Parasitic weeds are widespread and they 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 potential to apply the suicidal germination strategy for seed bank control of parasitic weeds. RESULTS Attachment of the D-ring, which is instrumental in the germination process of seeds of parasitic weeds, has been carried out to gibberellin (GA3) and kaurenoic as the scaffold. It was shown that indeed strigolactone mimics prepared from GA3 and kaurenoic acid are active as stimulant 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.