Slow-releasing hydrogen sulfide donors for enhanced crop growth and stress tolerance

Overview

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is recognized as an important signaling molecule in plants, influencing growth, development, and stress responses. However, conventional H2S donors such as sodium bisulfide (NaHS) release H2S rapidly, causing toxic shock to plants and limiting their practical utility in agriculture. This research investigates slow-releasing H2S-mimicking compounds, specifically GYY4137 and AP39, as novel alternatives that provide sustained, non-toxic H2S delivery to plant systems. These compounds have been studied in animal models for conditions such as diabetes and neuropathy, and initial results in rice demonstrate remarkable potential for enhancing crop growth and protecting against salt stress.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• GYY4137 and AP39 slow-releasing H2S donors tested at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 500, and 1000 µM
• Both seed pretreatment and hydroponic application methods evaluated
• Significant dose-dependent enhancement of root and shoot growth observed in rice
• Superior salt-stress protection compared to NaHS at 100 and 200 mM NaCl concentrations
• No growth inhibition or biomass loss observed, unlike conventional NaHS treatment
• Potential for mitochondrial-targeted H2S delivery using AP39

Research methodology:

• Rice seeds pretreated with H2S donors for 2 days, followed by 7-day hydroponic cultivation
• Comparative trials with direct hydroponic donor application over 7 days
• Five independent experiments conducted for statistical validation
• Salt-tolerance assays under controlled NaCl stress conditions
• Ongoing biochemical and molecular analyses to elucidate signaling mechanisms

Technology readiness level

This research is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Initial validation experiments have demonstrated clear proof-of-concept, with GYY4137 and AP39 showing significant positive effects on rice growth and salt tolerance across multiple independent trials. The compounds were generously provided by Prof. Matt Whiteman at the University of Exeter, UK. Future work requires a one-year collaboration to fully decipher the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, including interactions with other signaling molecules under normal and stress conditions. The ultimate goal is to enable field trials with rice and additional crops under real-world environmental conditions, advancing the technology toward practical agricultural applications.