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.