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Liriope spicata is an important traditional Chinese medicine and is also used as an ornamental groundcover plant. A tissue culture method, such as somatic embryo regeneration, that can generate large numbers of genetically identical plants would help maintain the characteristics of specific varieties. This study aimed to screen and optimize plant growth regulators for all aspects of somatic embryo regeneration in L. spicata. The plant growth regulators 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and kinetin (KT) were screened in tissue culture media. We found that 2 mg/L 2,4-D + 2 mg/L 6-BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA had the best induction efficiency of 30.95%. During the screening of the somatic embryo proliferation media, we found that MS + 1 mg/L 6-BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 20 g/L glucose + 7 g/L agar, with a pH of 5.8, had the best proliferation efficiency of 86.67%. For the germination of somatic embryos, we found that MS + 0.1 mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L NAA + 1 mg/L GA3 had the best effect, with an efficiency of 29.03%. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) had a significant effect on the induction of adventitious shoots, with the formula 1/2 MS + 0.1 mg/L IBA resulting in an efficiency of 100%. The establishment of the regeneration pathway for L. spicata somatic embryos not only ensures the industrial production of species but also provides reference for the application of plant growth regulators in plant tissue culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of plant hormones and rhizosphere communication signals of great interest. They perform diverse biological functions including the stimulation of parasitic seed germination and phytohormonal activity. However, their practical use is limited by their low abundance and complex structure, which requires simpler SL analogues and mimics with maintained biological function. Here, new, hybrid-type SL mimics were designed, derived from Cinnamic amide, a new potential plant growth regulator with good germination and rooting-promoting activities. Bioassay results indicated that compound 6 not only displayed good germination activity against the parasitic weed O. aegyptiaca with an EC50 value of 2.36 × 10−8 M, but also exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Arabidopsis root growth and lateral root formation, as well as promoting root hair elongation, similar to the action of GR24. Further morphological experiments on Arabidopsis max2-1 mutants revealed that 6 possessed SL-like physiological functions. Furthermore, molecular docking studies indicated that the binding mode of 6 was similar to that of GR24 in the active site of OsD14. This work provides valuable clues for the discovery of novel SL mimics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In this study, a novel plant growth regulator 2,4-dichloroformamide cyclopropane acid (B2) was used to explore its effects on wheat stalk morphology, chemical composition, anatomical structure, crushing strength and their relationship with lodging resistance. The effects of stem quality change on grain filling and yield were further discussed. Methods: We conducted a series of experiments, including determinations of internode morphology and breaking resistance, analyses of chemical composition and hormone content, observation of internode anatomy, and measurement of grain filling rate, to explore the effects of internode developmental changes induced by B2 treatment on grain filling. Results: Spraying 150 μmol·L−1 B2 at jointing stage significantly decreased plant height, height of center of gravity, basal internode and cell length, while increased stem diameter, wall thickness of basal second internode, cortex thickness, vascular bundle transverse section area and cell cross-sectional area, which resulted in higher breaking strength and culm lodging resistance index. B2 also significantly reduced the content of gibberellin in the second basal internode, and increased the accumulation of lignin and cellulose, thus forming a shorter and stronger stalk. Correlation analysis showed that stem outer diameter, stem wall thickness, cellulose and lignin content were significantly and positively correlated with stem breaking strength. The improvement of stalk structure, especially vascular bundle area, increased bleeding sap, which contributed to grain filling and final yield formation. Conclusions: Lodging resistance and average grain-filling rate can be enhanced by spraying B2 at wheat jointing stage due to the improvement of culm structure, which is conducive to further increase of yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stress is one of the most important factors limiting sustainable crop production. Therefore, the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) fulvic acid (FA), brassinolide (BR), and uniconazole (Uni) on seedling growth and physiology of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties were evaluated under − 0.7 MPa water stress induced by polyethylene glycol-6000. Under drought stress, the PGRs promoted seedling growth, altered the root-to-shoot ratio, and significantly increased root biomass, length, surface area, diameter, and volume. In addition, depending on the PGR, net photosynthesis rate, SPAD value (indicating chlorophyll content), and water use efficiency increased significantly, under drought stress, whereas transpiration rate decreased. The PGRs also significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and significantly decreased malondialdehyde accumulation in leaves and roots under drought stress. Zhengdan958 showed greater variation in physiological responses and stronger drought resistance than Xundan20. In alleviating drought stress in maize seedlings, FA had the greatest effects on shoot growth and leaf physiology; Uni exerted its effects by regulating root structure, and BR effects were intermediate. Under drought stress, the three PGRs increased maize seedling growth, which reduced drought stress-induced damage and improved plant ability to resist the adversity. Based on a comprehensive analysis of physiological indices of drought resistance, Uni is recommended as the best PGR to improve maize seedlings resistance to drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is an important environmental factor limiting the widespread planting of tropical and subtropical crops. The application of plant regulator coronatine, which is an analog of Jasmonic acid (JA), is an effective approach to enhancing crop's resistance to chilling stress and other abiotic stresses. However, the function and mechanism of coronatine in promoting chilling resistance of tomato is unknown. In this study, coronatine treatment was demonstrated to significantly increase tomato chilling tolerance. Coronatine increases H3K4me3 modifications to make greater chromatin accessibility in multiple chilling-activated genes. Corresponding to that, the expression of CBFs, other chilling-responsive transcription factor (TF) genes, and JA-responsive genes is significantly induced by coronatine to trigger an extensive transcriptional reprogramming, thus resulting in a comprehensive chilling adaptation. These results indicate that coronatine enhances the chilling tolerance of tomato plants by inducing epigenetic adaptations and transcriptional reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deeper and longer roots allow crops to survive and flourish, but our understanding of the plant growth regulators promoting root system establishment is limited. Here, we report that, a novel auxin receptor agonist, named K-10, had a remarkable promotive effect on root growth in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa through the enhancement of root-related signaling responses. Using computer-aided drug discovery approaches, we developed potent lead compound by screening artificial chemicals on the basis of the auxin receptor TIR1 (Transport Inhibitor Response 1), and a series of N-(benzo[d] [1,3] dioxol-5-yl)-2-(one-benzylthio) acetamides, K-1 to K-22, were designed and synthesized. The results of bioassay showed that K-10 exhibited an excellent root growth-promoting activity far exceeding that of NAA (1-naphthylacetic acid). A further morphological investigation of the auxin related mutants (yucQ , tir1) revealed that K-10 had auxin-like physiological functions and was recognized by TIR1, and K-10 significantly enhanced auxin response reporter's (DR5:GUS) transcriptional activity. Consistently, transcriptome analysis showed that K-10 induced a common transcriptional response with auxin and down-regulated the expression of root growth-inhibiting genes. Further molecular docking analysis revealed that K-10 had a stronger binding ability with TIR1 than NAA. These results indicated that this class of derivatives could be a promising scaffold for the discovery and development of novel auxin receptor agonists, and the employment of K-10 may be effective for enhancing root growth and crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has previously been demonstrated that a thiourea derivative, namely 1-phenethyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiourea (Y21), exhibits high gibberellin-like activity. In this work, the influence of the alkyl chain length and various benzene ring substituents on the biological activity of Y21 was investigated. 1-Substituted 3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiourea derivatives were designed, synthesized, and comprehensively evaluated. The biological activity analysis demonstrated that at a dose of 0.1 μM, compound S8, i.e., 1-(3-bromophenethyl)-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiourea), exhibited significantly higher promoting activity with respect to Arabidopsis thaliana hypocotyl elongation and rice germination than did gibberellin A3 (GA3) and Y21. Moreover, the physiological response of the A. thaliana mutant ga1-1 to treatment with S8 suggested that this compound possessed GA-like function. The molecular docking analysis indicated that S8 formed hydrogen bonding interactions with residues Phe238 and Ser191 of the gibberellin insensitive DWARF1 (GID1) receptor, which resulted in stronger binding with GID1 than Y21. The bioactivity of derivatives S1–S22 exhibited a clear negative monotonic association with the molecular docking-based score values. Overall, it was determined that S8 displayed excellent GA-like bioactivity and facilitated hypocotyl elongation and germination; therefore, it could be applied as a potential plant growth regulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium deficiency causes severe losses in yield and quality in crops. Mepiquat chloride, a plant growth regulator, can increase K+ uptake in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), but the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used a non-invasive micro-test technique to measure K+ and H+ fluxes in the root apex with or without inhibitors of K+ channels, K+ transporters, non-selective cation channels, and plasma membrane H+-ATPases. We found that soaking seeds in mepiquat chloride solution increased the K+ influx mediated by K+ channels and reduced the K+ efflux mediated by non-selective cation channels in cotton seedlings. Mepiquat chloride also increased negative membrane potential (E m) and the activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPases in roots, due to higher levels of gene expression and protein accumulation of plasma membrane H+-ATPases as well as phosphorylation of H+-ATPase 11 (GhAHA11). Thus, plasma membrane hyperpolarization mediated by H+-ATPases was able to stimulate the activity of K+ channels in roots treated with mepiquat chloride. In addition, reduced K+ efflux under mepiquat chloride treatment was associated with reduced accumulation of H2O2 in roots. Our results provide important insights into the mechanisms of mepiquat chloride-induced K+ uptake in cotton and hence have the potential to help in improving K nutrition for enhancing cotton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lodging is one of the important factors causing maize yield. Plant height is an important factor in determining plant architecture in maize (Zea mays L.), which is closely related to lodging resistance under high planting density. Coronatine (COR), which is a phytotoxin and produced by the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, is a functional and structural analogue of jasmonic acid (JA). Results: In this study, we found COR, as a new plant growth regulator, could effectively reduce plant height and ear height of both hybrids (ZD958 and XY335) and inbred (B73) maize by inhibiting internode growth during elongation, thus improve maize lodging resistance. To study gene expression changes in internode after COR treatment, we collected spatio-temporal transcriptome of inbred B73 internode under normal condition and COR treatment, including the three different regions of internode (fixed, meristem and elongation regions) at three different developmental stages. The gene expression levels of the three regions at normal condition were described and then compared with that upon COR treatment. In total, 8605 COR-responsive genes (COR-RGs) were found, consist of 802 genes specifically expressed in internode. For these COR-RGs, 614, 870, 2123 of which showed expression changes in only fixed, meristem and elongation region, respectively. Both the number and function were significantly changed for COR-RGs identified in different regions, indicating genes with different functions were regulated at the three regions. Besides, we found more than 80% genes of gibberellin and jasmonic acid were changed under COR treatment. Conclusions: These data provide a gene expression profiling in different regions of internode development and molecular mechanism of COR affecting internode elongation. A putative schematic of the internode response to COR treatment is proposed which shows the basic process of COR affecting internode elongation. This research provides a useful resource for studying maize internode development and improves our understanding of the COR regulation mechanism based on plant height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The use of exo‐16,17‐dihydro‐gibberellin A5‐13‐acetate (DHGA5) in agriculture has been limited by its low synthetic yield. This study was aimed at optimizing the synthetic route of DHGA5, designing and synthesizing new derivatives with strong plant growth inhibitory activities. RESULTS: Previous synthetic methods were replaced with a shorter, milder and faster reaction route with higher yield (76.3%) of DHGA5. Based on this novel route, a series of new derivatives were designed and synthesized using DHGA5 as a lead compound and characterized and evaluated for biological activities in Arabidopsis thaliana. Among the 15 tested derivatives, compound 14j showed a lower medium inhibition concentration (IC50, 73 μm) in Arabidopsis than that of DHGA5 (91 μm). Gibberellin deficient mutant assay further revealed that 14j had very different activities compared to DHGA5 as it specifically inhibits gibberellin biosynthetic pathways. In addition, 14j does not influence the interaction between gibberellin receptors (GID1) and the master growth repressor (RGA) based on yeast two‐hybrid assay. CONCLUSION: The optimized synthetic route provides a promising method for large‐scale preparation of DHGA5. Our biological assays indicate that 14j likely acts on gibberellin signaling elements other than GID1. These results indicate that novel plant growth regulators can be developed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bikinin was previously identified in a chemical genetics screening as one of the most active brassinolide (BL) mimetics. To determine the effects of different heterocyclic groups replacing the pyridine ring on activity and to isolate novel highly active BL mimetics, a series of bikinin analogues bearing an ethyl ester in the carboxyl group attached on various heterocyclic moieties were synthesized for investigation of bioactivity on Arabidopsis and rice. The results showed that methylthiazole amide displayed better growth-promoting activity and greater efficacy than bikinin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene (ET) is critical importance in the growth, development, and stress responses of plants. Plant hormonal stress responses have been extensively studied, however, the role of ET in plant growth, especially plant height (PH) remains unclear. Understanding the genetic control for PH in response to ET will provide insights into the regulation of maize development. To clarify the genetic basis of PH-related traits of maize in response to ET, we mapped QTLs for PH, ear height (EH), and internode length above the uppermost ear (ILAU) in two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations of Zea mays after ET treatment and in an untreated control (CK) group. Sixty QTLs for the three traits were identified. Twenty-two QTLs were simultaneously detected under both ET treatment and untreated control, and five QTLs were detected at two geographic locations under ET treatment only. Individual QTL can be explained 3.87–17.71% of the phenotypic variance. One QTL (q2PH9-1, q1PH9, q1EH9/q1ILAU9-1, q2ILAU9, and q2EH9) for the measured traits (PH, EH, ILAU) was consistent across both populations. Two QTLs (q2PH2-5, q2ILAU2-2, q1PH2-2, and q1ILAU2-2; q1PH8-1, q1EH8-1, q2PH8-1) were identified for up to two traits in both locations and populations under both ET treatment and untreated control. These consistent and stable regions are important QTLs of potential hot spots for PH, ear height (EH), and internode length above the uppermost ear (ILAU) response to ET in maize; therefore, QTL fine-mapping and putative candidate genes validation should enable the cloning of PH, EH, and ILAU related genes to ET response. These results will be valuable for further fine-mapping and quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) determination, and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of ET responses in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) lodging is an important factor limiting its yield increase worldwide. EDAH (containing 27% ethephon and 3% DA-6) is commonly used to decrease lodging. There is an urgent need to select efficient application methods of agrochemical for better spray deposition. In our research, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (15 L ha−1 and 30 L ha−1) with EDAH dosages of 72 and 90 g a.i. ha−1, and electric knapsack sprayers (EKS) (450 L ha−1) with dosages of 90 g a.i. ha−1 were used to compare the droplet deposition distribution, uniformity and maize growth. According to our research, EDAH applied by UAV had a higher droplet deposition rate than EKS; EKS had a higher droplet coverage rate, deposition density, droplet distribution uniformity. At the same dosage of EDAH, the UAV had a better effect on controlling maize growth than EKS, and almost equal effects were detected when the dosage applied by the UAVs was decreased by 20%. Considering the lodging occurrence and yield, we recommend that the dosage of EDAH applied by UAVs should be 72 g a.i. ha−1 when there is weak lodging and 90 g a.i. ha−1 when there is heavy lodging, with a spray volume of 15 L ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress negatively affects maize growth and yield. Application of plant growth regulator is an effective way to improve crop salt tolerance, therefore reducing yield loss by salt stress. Here, we used a novel plant growth regulator B2, which is a functional analogue of ABA. With the aim to determine whether B2 alleviates salt stress on maize, we studied its function under hydroponic conditions. When the second leaf was fully developed, it was pretreated with 100 µM ABA, 0.01 µM B2, 0.1 µM B2, and 1 µM B2, independently. After 5 days treatment, NaCl was added into the nutrient solution for salt stress. Our results showed that B2 could enhance salt tolerance in maize, especially when the concentration was 1.0 µMol·L−1. Exogenous application of B2 significantly enhanced root growth, and the root/shoot ratio increased by 7.6% after 6 days treatment under salt stress. Compared with control, the ABA level also decreased by 31% after 6 days, which might have resulted in the root development. What is more, B2 maintained higher photosynthetic capacity in maize leaves under salt stress conditions and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased the generation rate of reactive oxygen species by 16.48%. On the other hand, B2 can enhance its water absorption ability by increasing the expression of aquaporin genes ZmPIP1-1 and ZmPIP1-5. In conclusion, the novel plant growth regulator B2 can effectively improve the salt tolerance in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronatine (COR) is a phytotoxin produced by the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, it has a structure similar to that of jasmonates (JAs), but it is much more active as a plant growth regulator. The goal of this study was to gain more insight into the effect and the mechanism of COR effects on stalk characteristics are related lodging resistance of maize. The agronomic traits, stalk ultrastructure, and endogenous hormones in maize stalks were studied in field trails and greenhouses, using hybrid cultivar "Xianyu 335" (XY335), "Zhengdan 958" (ZD958) and inbred line B73 as materials in 2018 and 2019. Different concentration of COR were sprayed onto maize foliar surfaces at the seven-expanded-leaves (V7) stage. Foliar application with 10 µmol L−1 of COR at the V7 stage decreased plant and ear height, increased weight and diameter of the basal internodes, and increased penetration strength and stalk bending resistance. Compared to the control treatment, in COR-treated plants, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) were decreased significantly in stalks. The treatment of 10 µmol L−1 of COR enhanced lignin accumulation, the integrity, and the thickness of cell walls in maize stalks in the early stages of stem growth in the inbred line B73, as revealed by autofluorescence microscopy and scanning electron micrographs. Our results indicated that COR improved stalk bending resistance of maize not only by optimizing stalk morphological characteristics, but also by altering hormone levels, which may led to greater lignin accumulation, thickens cell wall, and decreased the area of vascular bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice crab co-culture is a new integrated farming model in China. The application of triazole plant growth regulators (PRGs) is often used as an advantageous option to combat rice lodging. However, there is still a gap regarding the toxicity of these PRGs on the growth and development of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis, E. sinensis). Here the effect of triazoles (paclobutrazol and uniconazole) on the molting mechanism of E. sinensis was investigated. Monitoring of regulatory genes associated with molting showed that the two PRGs were found to inhibit the expression of ecdysteroid hormone (EH), ecdysteroid receptors gene (EcR), and retinoid X receptors gene (RXR) and induce secretion of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) gene. In addition, the activities of chitinase (CHIA) and N-acetyl-β- d -aminoglucosidase (β-NAGase) were also inhibited by exposure to PRGs. Exposure to PRGs also elevated the mRNA expression of the growth-related myostatin gene (MSTN). These results revealed that there is a long-term risk of exposure to triazoles PRGs that may inhibit molting and affect normal development and immune system of E. sinensis. [Display omitted] • Effects of triazole plant growth regulators (RPGs) on E. sinensis were researched. • Paclobutrazol and uniconazole were not significantly acutely toxic to E. sinensis. • Triazole RPGs show endocrine disruptive ability in inhibiting molting in E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the most common environmental stressors that severely threatens plant growth, development, and productivity. B2 (2,4-dichloroformamide cyclopropane acid), a novel plant growth regulator, plays an essential role in drought adaptation, significantly enhancing the tolerance of Carex breviculmis seedlings. Its beneficial effects include improved ornamental value, sustained chlorophyll content, increased leaf dry weight, elevated relative water content, and enhanced root activity under drought conditions. B2 also directly scavenges hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion contents while indirectly enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidative damage. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that B2 activates drought-responsive transcription factors (AP2/ERF-ERF, WRKY, and mTERF), leading to significant upregulation of genes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (HCT, POD , and COMT). Additionally, these transcription factors were found to suppress the degradation of starch. B2 regulates phytohormone signaling related-genes, leading to an increase in abscisic acid contents in drought-stressed plants. Collectively, these findings offer new insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying C. breviculmis' resistance to drought damage, highlighting the potential application of B2 for future turfgrass establishment and management with enhanced drought tolerance. • B2 pretreatment alleviates drought-induced damage in Carex breviculmis. • B2 mitigates oxidative stress by detoxifying ROS and reducing oxidative damage. • The crosstalk between B2 and plant hormones in augmenting drought tolerance. • B2 enhances drought resistance by promoting starch accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are functional compounds known for enhancing plant growth and development. However, their environmental impact is a concern due to poor water solubility and the need for substantial organic solvents. Recently, nano-delivery systems have emerged as a solution, offering a broad range of applications for small molecule compounds. This study introduces a nano-delivery system for Triacontanol (TA), utilizing a star polymer (SPc), aimed at promoting maize growth and improving physiological indicators. The system forms nearly spherical nanoparticles through TA's hydroxyl group and SPc's tertiary amine group. The TA/SPc nano-complex notably outperforms separate TA or SPc treatments in maize, increasing biomass, chlorophyll content, and nutrient absorption. It elevates chlorophyll content by 16.4%, 10.0%, and 6.2% over water, TA, and SPc treatments, respectively, and boosts potassium and nitrate ion uptake by up to 2 and 1.6 times compared to TA alone, leading to enhanced plant height and leaf growth. qRT-PCR analysis further demonstrated that the nano-complex enhanced cellular uptake through the endocytosis pathway by up-regulating endocytosis-related gene expression. The employment of TEM to observe vesicle formation during the internalization of maize leaves furnishes corroborative evidence for the participation of the endocytosis pathway in this process. This research confirms that SPc is an effective carrier for TA, significantly enhancing biological activity and reducing TA dosage requirements. [Display omitted] • The spontaneous assembly of SPc with TA results in a reduction in particle size. • Foliar application with 1 μM TA/SPc nano-complex improved maize growth. • TA/SPc enhanced maize's ability to absorb potassium and nitrogen elements. • TA/SPc complex enhanced cellular uptake through the endocytosis pathway in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethephon is plant growth regulator widely used to control maize lodging at the early stage of jointing. However, the function and efficacy of ethephon due to differences of cultivars and maize growing areas remains elusive, necessitating the evaluation of each cultivar's sensitivities prior to the application of ethylene. In this study, we collected ten maize cultivars from the largest planted area in China and cultivated in three typical growing areas to evaluate their sensitivity to ethephon. The results showed that ethephon reduced maize plant height, ear height, length of base internode, and generally increased the crushing strength of maize base internode. These traits may enhance maize lodging resistance by reducing the center of gravity of the plant structure. The effect of ethephon varied across growing areas, and cultivars within the same region exhibited distinct sensitivity levels to ethephon. The crushing strength of the eighth internode in maize exhibits a wide range of change and small coefficient of variation. Hence, this index's change range could be utilized to assess the sensitivity of maize cultivars to ethephon in various regions. In addition to agronomic traits, we detected shifts in transcriptional levels related to the signaling pathways of phytohormones, particularly ethylene and gibberellin. These changes reveal the association between transcriptional signaling levels of key factors and the sensitivity to ethylene in ten maize cultivars. The results contribute to our understanding of the lodging resistance in different maize cultivars and evaluation the sensitivity of maize cultivar to ethephon in different growing areas, with implications for comparable pedo-climatic conditions elsewhere. [Display omitted] • The sensitivity of same cultivar to ETH differed in different growing areas, and within the same growing area. • The sensitivity of different cultivars to ETH can be evaluated by the crushing strength of maize eighth internode. • The sensitivity of different cultivars to ETH correlated to the expression level of ETH receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize yield is limited by water deficit in the arid and semiarid regions of China. Conserving water and enhancing crop water productivity are inevitable requirements for the sustainable development of water efficient agriculture. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play important roles in maize water stress tolerance. In this study, we investigated the effect of plant growth regulator-brazide, a functional analog of brassinolide (BR), on maize water stress resistance through a two-year (2020–2021) field experiment. The experiment included four water treatments (I100: 4012 m3 ha−1; I80: 3210 m3 ha−1; I60: 2407 m3 ha−1; I40: 1605 m3 ha−1), four PGR concentrations (CK: water; Bra: 0.1 μmol L−1 14-hydroxylated brassinosteroid; B1: 0.1 μmol L−1 brazide; B2: 1 μmol L−1 brazide; B3: 10 μmol L−1 brazide). The results showed that deficit irrigation (I60 and I40) decreased soil water content (SWC), photosynthetic rate (Pn), leaf area index (LAI), aboveground biomass (AB) and yield, but improved crop water productivity (WP c). Under deficit irrigation conditions, 1 μmol L−1 brazide application also increased dry matter accumulation and grain yield, a result attributed to improvement of the photosynthetic rate and increases in the root bleeding saps, water productivity. 1 μmol L−1 Brazide application reduced bare tip length, increasing kernel number per ear, thereby increased the yield of I60 and I40 by 15.1% and 11.4% (p ≤ 0.05; 2020), 16.4% and 20.4% (p ≤ 0.001; 2021), respectively. Path analysis showed brazide improved final yields by increasing thousand grain weight (TGW), photosynthetic rate (Pn) and WP c under deficit irrigation. The increase in TGW with brazide treatment was primarily attributed to the increase of Pn. Overall, Brazide increased maize drought resistance mainly by increasing Pn and WP c , with 1 μmol L−1 brazide as an optimal concentration. • A new plant growth regulator, Brazide, was evaluated in maize. • Brazide increased photosynthetic rate and WUE under deficit irrigation. • Application of brazide improved maize growth and grain yield under deficit irrigation. • 1 μmol L−1 brazide as an optimal concentration for maize in arid region of Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing planting density is important to raise maize yield, however, high density often leads to an increase risk of lodging due to dense canopy and weak stem. Maize yield and optimal plant density are increased by applying plant growth regulator compound of ethephon and DA-6, however, we do not know if this compound would interact with location and genotype. In this study, a novel plant growth regulator, as the synthesis of N , N - diethyl − 2 − hexanoyl oxygen radicals − ethyl amine (2-ethyl chloride) phosphonic acid salt (DHEAP), combining the effects of ethephon and DA-6 in one chemical, was developed and tested at three locations, five plant densities (6.75, 8.25, 9.75, 11.25 and 12.75 plants m −2 ) and three cultivars in 2014–2015. This study aimed to quantify the interactions between environment, genotype and management (Appling DHEAP and plant density) on lodging-related optimal plant density and yield. DHEAP significantly increased grain yield by 10.7% due to the increases of kernel weight by 3.2% and kernel number per ear by 4.4%. On average across genotypes and environments, applying DHEAP increased optimum plant density by 6%. The optimal plant density interacted with cultivar, DHEAP and environment. Applying DHEAP reduced lodging percentage by lowering ear height. The yield-lodging relationship was affected by genotype and location. We concluded that maize yield could be enhanced by optimizing plant density, applying DHEAP and cultivar selection, but climatic and environmental differences of locations should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play crucial roles in maize drought tolerance. However, most of the studies are focused on seedling stage under greenhouse conditions, little is known on the effects of grain yields at later growth stage under field environment. It is hypothesized that exogenous application of PGRs can increase maize drought tolerance at different growth stages under field conditions. Here we used alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) and coronatine (COR) to investigate the effects of these two PGRs on maize drought tolerance in a two-year field experiment. The results showed that both COR and AOS treatments reduced leaf water loss and significantly increased the relative leaf water content by 12.6% and 13.0%, thus significantly decreasing superoxide anion accumulation by 49% and 42% in maize seedlings. There was no big difference between these two treatments in the seedling stage. In the subsequent reproductive growth period, although both COR and AOS treatments significantly increased leaf photosynthesis and above-ground growth, including photosynthetic rate by 41% and 33%, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value) by 8.0% and 6.5%, leaf area by 22% and 15%, plant height by 8.3% and 5.9%, dry matter accumulation by 23% and 17%, respectively, under drought conditions, the effect of COR was superior to the AOS, as evidenced by membership function values of COR treatment were 0.12 and 0.08 larger than that of AOS treatment in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Ultimately, COR and AOS treatments significantly increased the grain yields by 21.7% and 16.2% in 2020, 22.3% and 15.7% in 2021, respectively, under drought conditions. Path analysis showed both PGRs increased final grain yields by increasing thousand-kernel weight (TKW). While the TKW increase with COR treatment was mainly due to the increase of relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value), AOS treatment mainly increased dry matter accumulation under drought conditions. [Display omitted] • Effects of coronatine (COR) and alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) on drought tolerance examined. • Both COR and AOS treatments improved maize drought tolerance. • Treatment of maize seedling contributed to the whole growth period. • The COR treatment was more pronounced in the reproductive growth period. • The COR treatment was superior to that of the AOS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) increased the lint yield and potassium (K) uptake in field-grown cotton. [•] PGRs improved the partial factor productivity, agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency of K fertilizer. [•] PGRs increased the ratio of K in N:P:K in cotton lint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DHEAP is a novel plant growth regulator. • DHEAP improved maize lodging resistance. • DHEAP shaped a compact maize plant type. • DHEAP is helpful to increases summer maize planting density in NCP. Increasing the planting density (PD) of maize (Zea mays L.) crops is the most efficient method for enhancing maize grain yield, but supra-optimum PD leads to an increase in lodged maize, which alters the maize canopy structure. In this study, N, N-Diethyl-2-hexanoyl oxygen radicals-ethyl amine (2-ethyl chloride) phosphonic acid salt (DHEAP, a single compound), a novel plant growth regulator, was sprayed at the seven-expanded-leaf stage under two different PDs (75,000, and 90,000 plants ha-1) using two maize hybrids, ZD958 (lodging-resistance) and XY335 (lodging-susceptible), to reduce maize lodging rates and improve the maize canopy structure under high PD. After DHEAP treatment, the maize lodging rate of ZD958 and XY335 decreased by 70.87% and 75.22%, respectively, through a change in the morphological structure (i.e., reduced plant and ear heights and increased mean tilt angle) and an improvement in the basal internode quality (i.e., increased diameter, dry weight per unit length, crushing strength, cellulose content, lignin content, and vascular area, and reduced length). In addition, DHEAP treatment significantly reduced gibberellin (GA 3) contents in maize basal internodes. Moreover, the increase in the mean tilt angle (MTA) above the maize ear leaf after DHEAP treatment improved the light penetration in the middle leaf strata, which increased the chlorophyll content (SPAD), net photosynthetic rate (P n), and Rubisco enzyme activities. Finally, DHEAP treatment increased the grain yield of ZD958 and XY335 under 90,000 PD by 22.28% and 43.14%, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that the spraying of DHEAP effectively reduced maize lodging rates and improved the photosynthetic performance of the maize ear leaf, which increased maize grain yield under high PDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]