​A newly discovered, naturally occurring metabolite that promotes growth in rice plants and thwarts infestation by a common parasitic plant could help improve global food security, say KAUST researchers. Plant scientists are working on methods for generating healthy, nutritious crops to feed the world’s growing population. However, breeding strong plants that provide reliable, sustainable yields is beset with challenges, including battling parasitic infestations and plant infections.

Apocarotenoids are organic compounds found in the tissues of most living things; they can act as hormones and signaling molecules which, among other functions, stimulate metabolic processes. Scientists are just beginning to untangle the complex networks of these compounds in plants, with surprising results.

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Image: The KAUST co-first authors in the KAUST Greenhouse (from left to right): Muhammad Jamil, Jian You Wang, Yoshimoto Saito and Imran Haider.
© 2019 Jian You Wang