University of California

Aditya Vaidya

Sean R Cutler

Jonathan Helander

The present invention sets forth small novel abscisic acid (ABA) receptor agonist scaffolds and compounds with potent in vivo activity. In some aspects, the present invention provides agricultural formulations and methods comprising the ABA receptor agonists described herein, such as methods of managing crop water use and improving stress tolerance (e.g., drought tolerance). In some preferred embodiments, the inventive compounds have improved properties relative to the current 'best in-class' molecules quinabactin and its derivatives.

Overpowered ABA receptor agonists

The present invention sets forth new compounds that potently block activation of ABA receptors. In some aspects, these compounds can be used to enhance germination of crop seeds to stand establishment and to increase transpiration and photosynthetic yields when water is not limiting plant growth.

Unusually potent ABA receptor pan-antagonists

The present invention provides agonist compounds that activate ABA receptors, agricultural formulations comprising the agonist compounds, and methods of use for the compounds and formulations. The agricultural formulations are useful for inducing ABA responses in plant vegetative tissues, reducing abiotic stress in plants, and inhibiting germination of plant seeds. The compounds are also useful for inducing expression of ABA-responsive genes in cells that express endogenous or heterologous ABA receptors.

ABA receptor agonists that modulate transpiration

The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising agonist compounds that activate ABA receptors. In one aspect, the invention provides an agricultural formulation useful for inducing ABA responses in plant vegetative tissues, reducing abiotic stress in plants, and inhibiting germination of plant seeds. The compounds are also useful for inducing expression of ABA-responsive genes in cells that express endogenous or heterologous ABA receptors.

Growing community of inventors

Riverside, CA, United States of America

Aditya Vaidya