Decoupling the Good from the Bad: Translational Strategies for Strigolactone Application in Agriculture

Strigolactones (SLs) are multifunctional plant metabolites that govern shoot architecture, facilitate symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and trigger seed germination of parasitic weeds, making them attractive targets for crop improvement. Their agricultural potential has been validated in field trials for parasitic weed suppression, drought resilience, and grain yield improvement. However, a major challenge is decoupling their beneficial effects from undesirable functions. To address this, we adopt a precision intervention framework distinguishing two strategies: functional decoupling, which separates beneficial from detrimental SL activities; and situational decoupling, which exploits detrimental functions in controlled contexts. We evaluate progress across parasitic weed control, abiotic stress mitigation, and agronomic trait optimization. We also identify scientific gaps and practical barriers limiting translation and critically assess emerging solutions to these barriers. By critically analyzing where decoupling works and what trade-offs limit its success, this review aims to guide sustainable implementation of SL-based technologies in agriculture.