Triacontanol: a potent plant growth regulator in agriculture

Abstract

Triacontanol (TRIA) is a natural plant growth regulator found in epicuticular waxes. It is used to enhance the crop production in millions of hectares, particularly in Asia. Quite a number of researchers have reported the TRIA-mediated improvement in growth, yield, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, uptake of water and nutrients, nitrogen-fixation, enzymes activities and contents of free amino acids, reducing sugars, soluble protein, and active constituents of essential oil in various crops. Expectedly, TRIA enhances the physiological efficiency of the cells and, thus, exploits the genetic potential of plant to a large extent. In fact, TRIA increased free amino acids, reducing sugars, and soluble protein of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) within 5 min. TRIA elicited the appearance of L(')-adenosine within 1 min in the roots of plants, the shoots of which were sprayed with nanomolar concentrations of TRIA. TRIA and octacosanol (OCTA), the primary alcohols, are ubiquitous in the environment. OCTA was reported to inhibit the activity of TRIA in the seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) at equimolar concentrations; and both TRIA and OCTA elicited a second messenger, known as OCTAM and triacontanol second messenger (TRIM), respectively. TRIA rapidly increases the ratio of L(')-to D(Á)-adenosine, probably at the tonoplast. However, it is to be resolved as to how TRIA elicits L(')-adenosine and what is the source of L(')-adenosine in plants. Based on known metabolic processes, de novo synthesis of L(')-adenosine is unlikely, because of the rapidity of the response. TRIA-mediated increase in dry matter production could influence the inter-relationship between primary and secondary metabolism, leading to increased biosynthesis of secondary products. Various studies present strong evidences that application of TRIA applied either to the root medium or to leaves enhanced the growth and yield of vegetables and other crops, including agronomic and horticultural crops as well as medicinal and aromatic crop plants under normal and adverse conditions. However, further investigations are required to elucidate the possible role of TRIA on plant growth regulation, physiological activities and secondary metabolite biosynthesis regarding medicinal and aromatic plants subjected to abiotic stress. The present review covers the pivotal role of TRIA in plant growth and development, its mode of action and its significance in improving the crop productivity and quality of agricultural crops.

Sodium Nitroprusside Stimulates Micropropagation and TDZ Induces Adventitious Shoots Regeneration in Red Flesh Apple Malus niedzwetzkyana Koehne Dieck ex

“…Dobránszki and Teixeira da Silva (2010) stated that the success in apple in vitro culture is affected by many factors, including genotype and physiological state of the donor plant, and in vitro conditions (e.g., culture media composition, temperature and light). Studied in our experiment bio-stimulant triacontanol (TRIA) have been identified as natural plant growth regulator that enhances crop production due to involving in several physiological pathways (Naeem et al 2012). It was reported as a factor increasing dry weight of corn seeds, leaf area of rice, promotion of tobacco callus, stimulation of shoot growth, induction of early flowering, etc.…”

Study of interaction effect between triacontanol and nitric oxide on alleviating of oxidative stress arsenic toxicity in coriander seedlings

“…Triacontanol (TRIA) is a potent plant growth regulator, which has been reported to enhance growth and yield of several crop species when applied exogenously (Gatica et al 2008;Naeem et al 2011). TRIA has been reported to enhance photosynthesis and water and mineral nutrients' uptake, regulate activities of various enzymes and increase the level of various organic compounds in leaf tissues (Ries & Houtz 1983;Ries 1991;Naeem et al 2009Naeem et al , 2010.…”

THE EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR TRIACONTANOL TO THE GROWTH OF CACAO SEEDLINGS (Theobroma cacao L.)

“…Thus, it is possible that triacontanol given on the optimum concentration will promote the expression of genes, so that it will activate a particular gene to control the process of organogenesis to initiate a shoot and root of the growth of cacao seedlings. Naeem et al (2012) also reported that triacontanol possible role in regulating growth and metabolism of plants lies in the regulation of gene expression. According to Hangarter and Ries (1978) triacontanol potentially increases growth due to the increase in the number of cells in the plant.…”