Design and synthesis of a new peptide for growth induction in tomato Micro-Tom (MT) culture

• Grant number: 18/25609-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Festozo Vicente
• Grantee: Guilherme Henrique Teixeira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Phytohormones drive plant growth and development, which are organic substances that play an important role in regulating plant shape and maturation. Auxin shows the most import role on the regulation of primary root formation and growth of higher plants. In this way, this project proposes the design and synthesis of a new peptide containing amino acids that, based on their chemical structures, would be direct precursors of the auxin, phytormonium that triggers the development of roots and shoot growth. Thus, this study aims to understand some important parameters such as the viability of the new designed peptide in the application in vegetables. Optimal concentration and application methods of the peptide will performed in order to better understand the uptake mechanism by tomato plants (root or stomata). The experiment will be conducted under greenhouse (UNESP - Tupã Campus) using mutant tomato Micro-Tom (MT). The biometric and biochemical variables related to root and foliar growth will be evaluated for the investigation of the induction of plant growth caused by the new peptide.