title: Simplified strigolactams as potent analogues of strigolactones for the seed germination induction of Orobanche cumana Wallr.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strigolactones play an important role in the rhizosphere as signalling molecules stimulating the seed germination of parasitic weed seeds and hyphal branching of arbuscular micorrhiza, and also act as hormones in plant roots and shoots. Strigolactone derivatives, e.g. strigolactams, could be used as suicidal germination inducers in the absence of a host crop for the decontamination of land infested with parasitic weed seeds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report the stereoselective synthesis of novel strigolactams, together with some of their critical physicochemical properties, such as water solubility, hydrolytic stability, as well as their short soil persistence. In addition, we show that such strigolactams are potent germination stimulants of O. cumana parasitic weed seeds and do not affect the seed germination and the root growth of sunflower.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel strigolactam derivatives described here compare favourably with the corresponding GR-28 strigolactones in terms of biological activity and physicochemical properties. However, we believe strigolactone and strigolactam derivatives require further structural optimisation to improve their soil persistence to demonstrate a potential for agronomical applications. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lumbroso
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villedieu-Percheron
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zurwerra
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Screpanti
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lachia
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Dakas
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Verity
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hanno Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection Research, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sayer
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rendine
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Raymonde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fonné-Pfister
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, Stein, Switzerland. alain.de_mesmaeker@syngenta.com.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Mesmaeker
mesh_terms: D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects*; D006368:Helianthus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007769:Lactams / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D031672:Orobanche / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D007769:Lactams; D007783:Lactones
keywords: parasitic weeds; soil persistence; strigolactams; strigolactones; suicidal germination