
A diagram showing the yield-enhancing effects of 12-HOLA field spraying across multiple crops. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
A collaborative study by Huazhong Agricultural University and Yazhouwan National Laboratory has identified 12-hydroxylauric acid (12-HOLA) as a novel plant growth regulator with the potential to revolutionize crop productivity.
Published in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, the research reveals that 12-HOLA, a catalytic product of the enzyme BnaA09.CYP78A9, significantly enhances organ development across multiple species.
Systematic field trials conducted between 2022 and 2025 across various Chinese provinces demonstrate the chemical's broad-spectrum efficacy. By applying a 60 ppm 12-HOLA treatment, the team achieved remarkable yield increases: rapeseed production rose by up to 30.82 percent, while soybean yields climbed by 30.14 percent.
Horticultural crops also showed impressive gains, with cucumber and tomato fruit weights increasing by about 20.64 percent and 11.92 percent, respectively.
Mechanistically, 12-HOLA functions by activating the plant's internal auxin pathway. Transcriptome and biochemical analyses show that the substance rapidly upregulates genes responsible for auxin biosynthesis and transport, such as YUC and PIN, thereby promoting cell elongation.
These findings not only offer a new strategy for molecular breeding through gene editing but also lay the groundwork for developing eco-friendly, natural growth enhancers to ensure global food security.