Drought-resilient maize yield enhancement using a novel trehalose-6-phosphate plant growth regulator

Overview

This offering is a novel plant growth regulator (PGR) built around the signalling molecule trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), designed to enhance maize yields and protect crops from drought-related losses. T6P is a naturally occurring molecule in plants that regulates energy use by interacting with SnRK1, a key enzyme governing the plant's feast and famine metabolic response. By increasing T6P levels during critical growth stages, the technology reprograms plant metabolism to use energy more efficiently, driving higher yields in ideal conditions and building resilience under water stress.

The solution addresses a critical agricultural challenge: crops worldwide face water supply restrictions that reduce yields and threaten farm profitability. While irrigation is not always economically or logistically viable, this PGR offers an easy-to-apply alternative that integrates seamlessly into existing farming practices. Backed by over 20 years of research, the technology has already demonstrated significant results in wheat, including an 18% yield increase in ideal field conditions and a 40% prevention of drought-related yield loss.

Technical specifications

Mechanism of action:

• Based on trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), a ubiquitous plant signalling molecule
• Interacts with SnRK1, a sucrose-regulating enzyme that controls feast and famine metabolic responses
• Increases T6P levels during kernel development to boost yield under ideal conditions
• Elevates T6P during drought stress to redirect energy use and maintain productivity

Key features:

• Reprograms plant metabolism for more efficient energy utilisation
• Applicable at pre- and post-pollination stages to protect kernel development
• Easy-to-use formulation compatible with standard farming practices
• Improved formulation now available following initial proof-of-concept work

Preliminary maize results:

• 8% increase in final yield (measured by ear weight) in non-stressed controlled-environment trials using the Earliking vegetable maize variety
• 20% reduction in yield loss under pre- and post-pollination drought conditions (measured by kernel number)
• Results achieved with a primitive formulation; improved formulation expected to deliver more robust outcomes

Validated wheat performance:

• 18% yield increase in ideal field conditions
• 40% prevention of drought-related yield loss

Technology readiness level

The technology has been validated in wheat at the field-trial stage, demonstrating consistent yield improvements and drought resilience. In maize, preliminary controlled-environment experiments have been completed using a primitive formulation, yielding encouraging early results. An improved formulation has since been developed and is ready for expanded testing.

Planned validation activities include application of the PGR across several maize varieties relevant to markets in the Americas, tested in both controlled environments and parallel field trials. Controlled-environment experiments will assess performance under pre- and post-pollination drought conditions as well as in ideal growing conditions across multiple maize genotypes. A concurrent field trial will confirm controlled-environment findings and de-risk the technology for broader commercial application beyond the established wheat market.

The current readiness level is early-to-mid stage development for maize, with strong proof-of-concept data already established in wheat supporting the underlying biological mechanism.