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Promotion of plant growth by polymers of lactic acid

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Abstract

Polymers of L-lactic acid are shown to promote plant growth. Dry weight of duckweed (Lemna minor L.) and corn (Zea mays L) was more than doubled when plants were grown in media containing the dimer of L-lactic acid, L-lactoyllactic acid. Higher polymers were equally effective at increasing plant biomass. Monomeric lactic acid and polymers of D-lactic acid showed no biological activity. Increased plant biomass was accompanied by increased chlorophyll accumulation and root growth. Promotion of chlorophyll accumulation and biomass may be due to increased ability to assimilate nutrients as plants treated with L-lactoyllactic acid showed no decrease in biomass when grown in medium that was growth limiting for control plants.

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Abbreviations

DP -:

degree of polymerization, with the degree indicated by the following subscript number

LA -:

lactic acid

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Author notes

  1. Alan M. Kinnersley

    Present address: Phyton Technologies, Inc., 1299, Bethel Valley Road, 37830, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

  2. Taylor C. Scott III

    Present address: Southern Illinois Forensic Science Lab, 606, East College Street, 62901, Carbondale, IL, USA

  3. John H. Yopp

    Present address: Department of Botany, Southern Illinois University, 62901, Carbondale, IL, USA

  4. George H. Whitten

    Present address: Lymphomed Inc., 2020, Ruby Street, 60160, Melrose Park, IL, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CPC International, Moffett Technical Center, Box 345, 60501, Summit-Argo, IL, USA

    Alan M. Kinnersley & George H. Whitten

  2. Department of Botany, Southern Illinois University, 62901, Carbondale, IL, USA

    Taylor C. Scott III & John H. Yopp

Authors
  1. Alan M. Kinnersley
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  2. Taylor C. Scott III
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  3. John H. Yopp
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  4. George H. Whitten
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Kinnersley, A.M., Scott, T.C., Yopp, J.H. et al. Promotion of plant growth by polymers of lactic acid. Plant Growth Regul 9, 137–146 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027441

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027441

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