Design, Synthesis, and Bioactivities of N-Heterocyclic Ureas as Strigolactone Response Antagonists against Parasitic-Weed Seed Germination.

The pernicious parasitism exhibited by root parasitic weeds such as and poses substantial peril to agricultural productivity and global food security. This deleterious phenomenon hinges upon the targeted induction of the signaling molecule strigolactones (SLs). Consequently, the identification of prospective SL antagonists holds significant promise in the realm of mitigating the infection of these pernicious weeds. In this study, we synthesized and characterized based on a potent SL antagonist . In vivo assay results demonstrated that remarkably impedes the germination of and seeds, while also alleviating the inhibitory consequence of the SL analogue on hypocotyl elongation in . The docking study and ITC assay indicated that can interact strongly with the SL receptor protein, which may interfere with the binding of SL to the receptor protein as a result. In addition, the results of crop safety assessment tests showed that had no adverse effects on rice seed germination and seedling growth and development. The outcomes obtained from the present study suggested that exhibited promise as a prospective antagonist of SL receptors, thereby displaying substantial efficacy in impeding the seed germination process of root parasitic weeds, providing a promising basis for rational design and development of further -specific herbicides.