Czech scientists discover substance boosting plant growth

The Hana Region Centre for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research of Palacky University in Olomouc has received a U.S. patent for a new substance that may increase the yields of crops, spokesman Radek Palascak told CTK yesterday.

The Incyde substance is from the group of cytokinins or plant growth hormones, Palascak said.

Now it is being tested on crops by a multinational agrochemical company that has requested anonymity over business secret, he added.

It has signed a one-year option contract with the university, Palascak said.

"If the company has interest in the licence after the tests are finished, it would be a great, primarily financial contribution to the Olomouc university and it would enhance its prestige in agrochemical research and development," Lucie Szucova, head of the department of transfer of results of science and research, has said.

Cytokinins are created naturally in plants, supporting their growth and development.

An increase in their level is one of the ways with which to influence the growth of crops.

The Olomouc scientists have reached the objective by using the mechanism guiding the level of cytokinins.

"Cytokinins in plant tissues are eliminated by a special enzyme. We will manage to prepare a substance blocking the enzyme's activity," researcher Lukas Spichal said.

"As a result, cytokinins are not eliminated and as new ones are created, their concentration grows. This increases the yields of crops and their resilience to pest," Spichal said.

The Olomouc scientists worked on the preparation of the new substance with their colleagues from Berlin.

The Hana Region Centre has over 40 patents its members have obtained in the Czech R.