Strigolactone: Unmasking of a New Phytohormone Group

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of sesquiterpene lactones are derived from carotenoids and contain a large four ring backbone. Biosynthesis occurs mainly in roots and isolated from roots of a variety of plant species. SLs have three distinct biological activities: Induction of seed germination of root parasitic seeds, induction of hyphal branching of Arbascular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and inhibition of shoot branching in plants.