Host: Professor Salim Al-Babili

Abstract:
The germination and growth of the root parasitic weed S.hermonthica involves many plant hormone functions. We have been able to identify compounds that can reduce root parasitic weed damage by developing and applying plant hormone regulators. Examples are shown below.
By developing and applying action-specific strigolactone agonists and antagonists, we have obtained new knowledge about the functions of ShHTL1, ShHTL2, and ShHTL3, which were previously unknown. We have also succeeded in developing an ethylene mimic and confirmed that it exhibits suicidal germination-inducing activity. On the other hand, although depranone compounds were previously thought to have weak germination-inducing activity against the root parasitic weed S.hermonthica, we have found that they exhibit strong germination-inducing activity against Orobanche minor. From this, we expect that depranone derivatives may also exhibit germination-inducing activity against other Orobanche species. Meanwhile, triazoles, which are covalent inhibitors that strongly inhibit D14, have weak germination inhibitory activity against S.hermonthica and O.minor. However, recently, we have discovered compounds that exhibit inhibitory activity more than 1000 times higher than conventional inhibitors against D14. Through future structure-activity relationship studies, we expect to discover compounds that also exhibit strong inhibitory activity against root parasitic weeds.

Bio:
Professor Tadao Asami is a distinguished scientist in the field of chemical biology, with a specialized focus on plant hormone regulation and root parasitic weed control. Currently serving as a Specially Appointed Professor at Yokohama City University, Japan, he has made significant contributions to agricultural biological chemistry throughout his career.

Professor Asami earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Biological Chemistry from The University of Tokyo, completing his doctorate in 1987. His research has advanced the understanding of plant hormone functions and their applications in agriculture, earning him global recognition.

With an extensive academic and research career spanning over three decades, he has held key positions at prestigious institutions, including The University of Tokyo and RIKEN. He has also contributed to industry research as a scientist at Bayer Crop Science. His work has been acknowledged through multiple awards, including honors from the Japan Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry Society and the International Plant Growth Substances Association.