Plants run on growth regulators, tiny chemical signals that choreograph development, but their lines of communication are more malleable than once assumed. A trio of KAUST-led studies underscore this flexibility by showing that the signaling and metabolism of specialized plant hormones known as strigolactones are regulated not by rigid locks and keys, but through enzymes and receptors capable of adapting to context and competitors.

Together, the findings point to a common theme: plants preserve control over these influential hormones by building in molecular versatility. They also broaden understanding of hormone signaling in crops and across the plant kingdom, showing that even well-mapped pathways can harbor unexpected cross-connections — and that tiny amounts of hormone act through finely tuned networks responsive to both internal cues and environmental change, with clear implications for agriculture.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY