The role of agriculture in national development?

What is the role of small molecules in agricultural crops?

• We know there many small molecules which are used in drug industry, but are there any small molecules which are commercially available for enhancing agriculture crop growth and development. Where can I refer or find list of small molecules which are derived from plants and their role in plants?

• Answer:

  Yes.  Many pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), fertilizers, and hormones are all small molecules.  Note that some hormones are pesticides (e.g. 2,4-D) and there have been documented cases of improved plant health with strobulurins (which are a fungicide). There are also other "specialty" inputs.  These include inoculum (not a small molecule), as well as sucker control and ripening agents for tobacco.  I'm sure there are other chemicals put on crops where market quality and timing are important (e.g. ethylene inhibitors, which is one mechanism how strobulurins are thought to improve plant health).