Mefluidide Protection of Severely Chilled Crop Plants

Mefluidide, the common name of N-(2,4-dimethyl-5-[([trifluoromethyl] sulfonyl)amino]phenyl)acetamide, is capable of protecting chilling sensitive plants such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) from chilling injury. The applied concentrations that protect plants from stress are species specific. Applied above a threshold concentration, it has no protective effect. Regardless of its immediate potential for agriculture, it appears at least to be a powerful tool for the biologist in the study of the protection from temperature stress mechanism.