Biologists from the University of Warsaw (UW) have discovered chemical compounds that are innovative in terms of chemical structure and have very high effectiveness in eliminating weeds.

The main authors of the invention are Dr Rafał Archacki and Dr Paweł Siedlecki from the Institute of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology of Plants at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw. New substances were found by chance when regulators of proteins stimulating the growth and development of plants were sought in other conducted research project. Several dozens of selected chemical compounds have been tested. Among them, the biologists managed to find several promising molecules. However, some of the tested substances, contrary to the expectations of researchers, inhibited it or even destroyed plants, instead of stimulating growth.

Discovered herbicides were subjected to efficacy tests that provided very promising results. Now researchers will conduct further research and carry out tests and field trials.