Synthesis of modified Schiff base triazole appended silatrane: Elucidating the in vitro and in silico plant growth potential

Abstract

In the current investigation, modified Schiff base triazole appended silatrane (MSBTAS) has been synthesized using a facile, copper(I) catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) approach. The presence of three plant growth regulating moieties i.e. Schiff base, triazole and silatrane make MSBTAS a unique and an uncommon plant growth regulator (PGR). The effects of different concentrations of MSBTAS (25, 50, 100, and 200 µmol L−1) and three control set-ups on the root and shoot length of two staple crops i.e. Zea mays (corn) and Vigna radiata (mung bean) have been studied. MSBTAS did not show a dose-dependent relationship with the root and shoot length enhancement of the crops. The concentrations 50 µmol L−1 and 100 µmol L−1 were statistically different and better than the control groups for the increase in root and shoot length of Z. mays. For V. radiata, the concentrations 25 µmol L−1 for root length along with 25 µmol L−1 and 50 µmol L−1 for shoot length were statistically different and better than the relative control groups. The in-silico studies have been performed using molecular docking to understand the interaction between MSBTAS and the plant growth protein, resulting in a good binding energy of -7.07 kcal/mol. The docking results obtained with MSBTAS have been validated by comparing the docking results obtained with commercially available PGR, paclobutrazol.