Novel cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase inhibitors for enhancing grain yield in crop plants and potential applications in the biotechnology industry

Abstract

Several synthetic cytokinins such as N-(2-chloro-pyridin- 4-yl)-N'-phenylurea and their derivatives have been shown to inhibit the cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) function in various crop plants. Employing chemical and biotechnological approaches, Nisler et al. (2021) investigated the impact of 32 novel CKX inhibitors, derived mainly from diphenylurea, on CKX isoforms from maize and Arabidopsis. The results revealed that, out of 32 compounds, 1-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]-3-[3- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]urea significantly enhanced stress tolerance in Arabidopsis, delayed senescence in wheat, and improved shoot regeneration in tobacco and poplar. It also increased grain yield in barley, wheat, Arabidopsis, and rapeseed. These inhibitors have potential applications in the biotechnology industry and in agriculture.