Applications of Archaeal Antioxidant Coenzyme M as an Agricultural Biostimulant

As the demand to meet global food security goals continue to increase, the need to increase efficiency and productivity of agricultural output also rises. This calls for innovative and cost-effective methods for improving plant growth and yield. Here we explore how antioxidants, molecules that inhibit oxidation and are necessary for redox based signaling and redox homeostasis, can be utilized as chemical biostimulants. Specifically, we investigated Coenzyme M, an antioxidant from archaea that holds potential economic advantages over other antioxidants. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of antioxidants and how exogenously application of them affects plant growth and biology, highlighting the roles and impacts of antioxidants in several plant specific pathways such as photosynthesis and phytohormones as well discussing the efficacy of exogenous antioxidants in augmenting plant growth and stress tolerance. Notably, several antioxidants have been shown to provide positive growth benefits under various conditions and with various plant species. Chapter 2 investigates Coenzyme M and it’s biostimulant properties in multiple plant species. Our analyses show that Coenzyme M can provide growth benefits in laboratory and greenhouse setting for multiple species and modulates photosynthetic parameters. Finally, Chapter 3 further explores the biomstimulant growth effects of Coenzyme M in the agriculturally relevant crop Soybean in greenhouse and field conditions to expand our understanding of how this novel chemical biostimulant can be used to increase agricultural productivity.Advisor: Rebecca L. Roston