SYNTHETIC LIPOCHITOOLIGOSACCHARIDES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PLANT GROWTH AND YIELD

The invention provides formulations and methods for improving plant growth and crop yield. More specifically, the present invention relates to compositions comprising the synthetic LCO compound tetra-N-acyl-beta-D-methyl-glycoside (TAMG) and the related compounds of Formula I. TAMG may be applied to plant propagating materials, including seeds and other regenerable plant parts, including cuttings, bulbs, rhizomes and tubers. TAMG may also be applied to foliage, or soil either prior to or following planting of plant propagating materials. Such applications may be made alone or in combination with fungicides, insecticides, nematicides and other agricultural agents used to improve plant growth and crop yield. TAMG can improve the agronomic performance of a variety of crops including barley, canola, corn, potato, soybean and wheat.