Method to improve a plant's growth, development and resistance to abiotic stress

Abstract

Method to improve a plant's growth, development and resistance to abiotic stress The present invention relates to a method to improve the growth, development and / or resistance to abiotic stress of a plant.

Description

[0001] January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT METHOD TO IMPROVE A PLANT’S GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESISTANCE TO ABIOTIC STRESS

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method to improve the growth, development and / or resistance to abiotic stress of a plant.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] The agricultural industry faces multiple challenges including the production of sufficient food and fibre to meet the demand of a growing population worldwide, adopting more efficient and sustainable production methods and adapting to climate change.

[0006] Further, abiotic stress, such as frost or drought, is a major concern in the agricultural industry, as it is not always possible for a plant to adjust appropriately to coldness, drought, osmotic stress (e.g. salt salinity), heat, etc. Plants are particularly dependent on environmental factors and cannot actively change location and are thus particularly prone to abiotic stress. Abiotic stress is the most harmful factor concerning the growth and productivity of crops worldwide. For example, drought stress is one of the main causes of crop losses within the agricultural world. Likewise, frost also significantly contributes to crop loss, at least in those regions that do not have temperatures above freezing temperature all year.

[0007] The present invention hence deals with the growth and development of a plant, as well as protecting said plant from abiotic stress.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It was surprisingly found the growth, development and / or resistance to abiotic stress of a plant can be improved by administering a saccharide and administering a plant biostimulant, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid. It was further found that said saccharide and said plant biostimulant can act synergistically in a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress or in a method to enhance the growth and / or development of a plant or part of a plant.

[0010] Hence, the first aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a plant, wherein a saccharide and a plant biostimulant are applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid. The second aspect of the invention provides a composition comprising said saccharide and said plant biostimulant. The third aspect of the invention provides the use of a composition according to the second aspect of the invention as a plant biostimulant composition.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Detailed description of the invention

[0011] Method of treating a plant

[0012] In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises: applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0013] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0014] The feature “plant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant”. The feature “applying a saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “applying a plant biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Saccharide”. The feature “plant biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant biostimulant”. The terms “part of said plant” and “area where it is intended that said plant will grow” are further elaborated in the Section “Application”.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, and preferred in the context of the present invention, said method according to the invention further comprises:

[0016] applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0017] The feature “additional saccharide(s)” is preferably as described in the Section “Additional saccharide”. The feature “applying an additional saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the term “treating” is to be understood in its broadest sense, i.e. applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention, a plant biostimulant according to the invention, an additional saccharide according to the invention) to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. Numerous ways are known to the skilled person to deliver a substance and depending on whether a substance needs to be delivered to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; the skilled person can readily select an appropriate application method as part of his common general knowledge (e.g. Gahukar, 2016, Phytoparasitica 44(3), p. 379-391).

[0019] The inventors have surprisingly found that a method according to the invention offers several advantages to the plant or part of said plant (compared to an untreated plant) including: (i) enhancing the growth; (ii) enhancing the development and / or (iii) protecting from abiotic stress as described herein. Furthermore, a method according to the invention significantly improves flower development and flower protection, even under abiotic stress such as frost.

[0020] For the sake of clarity, reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there is one and only one of the elements. In other words, the indefinite article "a" or "an" means "at least one" unlessJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT specifically stated otherwise. Hence, the expression “applying a saccharide, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid” means that at least one such saccharide (i.e. an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) sialic acid) is applied. Likewise, the expression “applying an additional saccharide” means that at least one additional saccharide is applied. This could be one or two or more. As further elaborated herein, an additional saccharide can be any saccharide, i.e. not per se (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid. Likewise, the expression “applying a plant biostimulant” means that at least one plant biostimulant is applied. This could be one or two or more.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method of the invention is a method for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant, wherein said method comprises:

[0022] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0023] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; and

[0024] optionally applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0025] The feature “plant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant”. The feature “applying a saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “applying a plant biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Saccharide”. The feature “plant biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant biostimulant”. The feature “additional saccharide(s)” is preferably as described in the Section “Additional saccharide”. The feature “applying an additional saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”.

[0026] The terms “part of said plant” and “area where it is intended that said plant will grow” are further elaborated in the Section “Application”.

[0027] Without being bound to a theory, the inventors believe that a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; it is referred to the Section “Saccharide”) acts as a plant biostimulant as defined herein (refer to Section “Plant biostimulant”), i.e. a substance that stimulates (i.e. improves) the vitality (i.e. the property of being able to live, grow and / or develop) of said plant independently of the environmental conditions which it experiences; more preferably a substance that stimulates (i.e. activates, preferably up-regulates ordown-regulates expression of genes controlling) the nutritional processes in said plant (i.e. natural processes in the plant promoting / improving the availability, absorption or utilization of nutrients and minerals) independently of the nutrients or minerals it (i.e. said biostimulant) contains. In addition, a plant biostimulant stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independent of the nutrients or minerals (e.g. fertiliser) present in the medium (e.g. soil) in which said plant is grown.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT

[0028] In the context of the present invention, the term “enhancing” can be interchangeably used with “improving” and in relation with growth and / or development of a plant, it is meant that the plant growth and / or plant development is generally improved or increased for one or more properties or parameters of plant growth and / or plant development as compared to a control plant, i.e. a plant that did not receive said saccharide according to the invention and said plant biostimulant according to the invention (and optionally said additional saccharide according to the invention).

[0029] In the context of the present invention, the term “enhancing growth and / or development” preferably refers to one or more of: improving plant yield (i.e. biomass), improving fructification, improving flower development, improving strength (i.e. vitality, vigour), improving germination and improving maturation (e.g. fruit maturation, grain maturation).

[0030] Plant yield refers to the biomass of a plant (i.e. whole plant) or one or more parts of a plant which may include aboveground (preferably harvestable) parts and / or parts below ground (preferably harvestable). Preferably, plant yield includes one or more of plant height, plant mass, root number, root mass, root volume, leaf area, leaf number, leaf mass, stem number, stem length, stem volume, stem mass, shoot number, shoot length, shoot mass, flower number, flower mass, flower size, fruit number, fruit mass, grain number and grain mass; all of which can be readily assessed by the skilled person using routine techniques. Preferably, said plant yield is assessed by measuring the fresh weight or dry weight of the whole plant, more preferably the fresh weight or dry weight of the canopy of the plant (i.e. aboveground portion of a plant). More preferably, said plant yield is assessed by measuring the shoot length or shoot mass, even more preferably by measuring the shoot length. An improved plant yield compared to an untreated plant (i.e. plant that is not treated with a saccharide and optionally further saccharide(s) according to the invention) is preferably an increase in shoot length or weight of the plant or weight of the canopy, more preferably an increase in shoot length; wherein said weight is dry weight or fresh weight, preferably fresh weight; and wherein said increase is preferably at least 1.0%, preferably at least 2.5%, more preferably at least 5.0%, most preferably at least 7.5%.

[0031] Fructification refers to the process of growing fruit and encompasses fruit number, fruit size, fruit mass and fruit quality. Preferably, said fructification is assessed by counting the amount of fruits of said plant and / or the mass of an average fruit of said plant.

[0032] Flower development refers to the process of developing a flower and encompasses flower number, flower size, flower mass and flower quality. Preferably, said flower development is assessed by counting the amount of healthy, normal flowers. In this regard, the inventors further surprisingly found that a method according to the invention is particularly efficacious in improving flower development.

[0033] Strength of a plant can be assessed by examining the plant’s stand. Alternatively, an increased ratio between the shoot weight and shoot length indicates an increase in the strength of said plant.

[0034] Throughout the application and claims, the mass (i.e. weight) can be fresh weight or dry weight, preferably fresh weight.

[0035] In the context of enhancing growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant, it is preferred that said plant is under physiological conditions. Said physiological conditions preferably refer to those conditions which are commonly used to grow said plant, which can differ from plant to plant as known to the skilled person. More preferably, said physiological conditions are conditions in the absence of abiotic and biotic stress. The latter terms are well-known to the skilled person (it is referred to Gull et al, 2019,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT IntechOpen, Abiotic and biotic stress in plants, chapter 1 , p. 1-19).

[0036] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method of the invention is a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress.

[0037] Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress, wherein said method comprises:

[0038] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0039] applying a plant immunity biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; and

[0040] optionally applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0041] The feature “plant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant”. The feature “applying a saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “applying a plant protection agent” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”. The feature “saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Saccharide”. The feature “plant immunity biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant biostimulant”. The feature “additional saccharide(s)” is preferably as described in the Section “Additional saccharide”. The feature “applying an additional saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Application”.

[0042] The terms “part of said plant” and “area where it is intended that said plant will grow” are further elaborated in the Section “Application”.

[0043] In the context of the present invention, throughout the application and claims, the term “plant biostimulant” is preferably replaced with the term “plant immunity biostimulant” in the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress as described herein.

[0044] In the context of the present invention, throughout the application and claims, the term “protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress” is preferably replaced with the expression “controlling abiotic stress in a plant or a part of a plant, or preventing abiotic stress in a plant or a part of a plant”, more preferably replaced with the expression “preventing abiotic stress in a plant or a part of a plant”. As understood by the skilled person, the term “controlling abiotic stress” preferably refers to reducing the extent / severity of abiotic stress; eliminating said abiotic stress; and / or preventing damage or further damage inflicted from said abiotic stress. The term “preventing abiotic stress” preferably refers to avoiding that said abiotic stress occurs and / or decreasing the incidence of said abiotic stress. In other words, “preventing abiotic stress” preferably refers to ameliorating the risk of suffering from said abiotic stress. Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “preventing abiotic stress in a plant or a part of a plant” can be preferably replaced with the term “priming a plant or a part of a plant against abiotic stress”, i.e. a mechanism leading to a physiological state of the plant that enables said plant to respond more rapidly and / or more robustly after exposure to abiotic stress.

[0045] In the context of the present invention, the term “stress” preferably refers to any condition or substance that negatively affects the growth, development and / or metabolism of a plant. When said condition / substance is of living nature, it is designated as “biotic stress” (Gull et al, 2019, IntechOpen, Abiotic and biotic stressJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT in plants, chapter 1 , p. 1-19). When said condition / substance is of non-living nature (e.g. physical and / or chemical nature), it is designated as “abiotic stress” (Gull et al, 2019, IntechOpen, Abiotic and biotic stress in plants, chapter 1 , p. 1-19).

[0046] In the context of the present invention, the term “negatively affecting” can be interchangeably used with “decreasing” and is the opposite of “improving” or “enhancing”, and in relation with growth and / or development of a plant, it is meant that the plant growth and / or plant development is generally decreased for one or more properties or parameters of plant growth and / or plant development as compared to a control plant, i.e. a plant that is not subjected to said stress. Growth and / or development is as described earlier herein.

[0047] In the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress as described herein, it is preferred that said abiotic stress is selected from the list consisting of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress including drought stress (water deficit stress) and salinity stress, humidity stress (water excess stress, preferably stress caused by flooding), heat stress, radiation stress (preferably UV stress or sunburn stress), nutrient starvation stress (preferably nitrogen, potassium and / or phosphate starvation stress), soil toxicity stress (preferably salt stress (soil salinity stress) or heavy metal toxicity) and mechanical stress (preferably wind stress); more preferably selected from the list consisting of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought or salinity stress), humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding), heat stress and radiation stress (preferably UV stress or sunburn stress, more preferably UV stress); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding) and radiation stress (preferably UV stress); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), and humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding); most preferably selected from the list consisting of frost stress, drought stress and humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding).

[0048] The term “flooding” is well-known to the skilled person and refers to the situation wherein at least the plant roots are submerged for a longer period of time. As the skilled person knows, said period of time required for reaching the stage of flooding depends on the plant species, but is preferably for at least 1 day, more preferably for at least 2 days, even more preferably for at least 3 days, even more preferably for at least 4 days, even more preferably for at least 5 days, even more preferably for at least 6 days, most preferably for at least 7 days. Flooding is hallmarked by oxygen starvation and carbon dioxide starvation, and hence energy and carbohydrate starvation. For the sake of clarity, flooding does not encompass ponding (e.g. swamp) or inundation (dry area that is permanently under water). In other words, “flooding” (i.e. waterlogging) refers to the situation wherein a dry area is temporarily submerged (preferably for at least 1 day, more preferably for at least 2 days, even more preferably for at least 3 days, even more preferably for at least 4 days, even more preferably for at least 5 days, even more preferably for at least 6 days, most preferably for at least 7 days), periodically submerged or episodically submerged.

[0049] It is also within the scope of the invention that said abiotic stress is preferably one or more of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably droughtJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding), heat stress, radiation stress (preferably UV stress or sunburn stress, more preferably UV stress), nutrient starvation stress (preferably nitrogen, potassium and / or phosphate starvation stress), soil toxicity stress (preferably salt stress (soil salinity stress) or heavy metal toxicity) and mechanical stress (preferably wind stress); more preferably one or more of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding), heat stress and radiation stress (preferably UV stress or sunburn stress, more preferably UV stress); even more preferably one or more of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding) and radiation stress (preferably UV stress or sunburn stress, more preferably UV stress); even more preferably one or more of cold stress (preferably frost, hail and / or snow stress; more preferably frost stress), osmotic stress (preferably drought stress or salinity stress, more preferably drought stress), and humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding); most preferably one or more of frost stress, drought stress and humidity stress (preferably stress caused by flooding).

[0050] In view of the excellent results achieved, it is a particularly preferred embodiment that said method of the invention is a method for protecting a flower or flowers of a plant from abiotic stress. In other words, it is preferred that said method is a method of protecting a flower or flowers of a plant from abiotic stress. Throughout the application and claims, the term “salinity stress” is preferably replaced with “salt stress”.

[0051] Plant

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said plant is an arable crop, fruit-bearing plant or a vegetable.

[0053] An arable crop is preferably selected from the list consisting of grain crop, pulse crop, oil seed crop, forage crop, fibre crop and tuber crop, more preferably selected from the list consisting of grain crop, oil seed crop and tuber crop, even more preferably grain crop or oil seed crop. A grain crop is generally grown for its edible starch grain. Preferred examples include corn (i.e. maize), wheat (winter and spring), rice, barley, oat, millet, sorghum, rye, spelt, durum and triticale. More preferred examples include corn, wheat (winter and spring), rice, barley, oat, millet, rye, spelt, durum and triticale. Even more preferred examples include corn, wheat (winter and spring) and barley. Throughout the application and claims, the terms “corn” and “maize” are interchangeably used unless specifically stated otherwise. A pulse crop is generally grown for its edible seeds which are high in protein. Preferred examples include lentil, bean (e.g. green bean, French bean, runner bean, haricot bean, Lima bean), soybean, Vicia fabia and pea (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea, split pea). More preferred examples include soybean and Vicia fabia. Even more preferred example includes soybean. An oil seed crop is generally grown for oil extraction from its seeds. Preferred examples include rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, cotton, canola and peanut. A forage crop is generally grown for feeding animals or for lawn. Preferred examples include cowpea, clover, turfgrass and timothy. A fibre crop is generally grown for non-food use. Preferred examples include cotton, jute, flax, coir and hemp. A tuber crop is generally grown for its edible underground parts. Preferred examples include potato, yam, cassava, aroid. More preferred examples includes potato.

[0054] More preferably, an arable crop is a cereal crop.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Throughout the application and claims, the verb “include” (and its conjugations) is preferably replaced with the verb “be” (and its conjugations) or “consist (of)” (and its conjugations).

[0055] A fruit-bearing plant is preferably selected from the list consisting of Abiu, Almond, Amla (Indian gooseberry), Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Bael, Bean (haricot, red, whte, black-eyed, runner, broad etc. ), Ber (Indian plum), Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Breadfruit, Cacao, Capsicum annuum (e.g. pepper, bell pepper, sweet pepper), Carambola (starfruit), Cashew, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chinese date, Citrus (clementine, lemon, lime, orange etc.), Coconut, Cornelian cherry, Courgette, Crab apple, Cucumber, Custard apple, Damson, Date, Dragonfruit, Durian, Elderberry, Feijoa, Fig, Gooseberry, Grapefruit, Guava, Jackfruit, Jujube, Kiwifruit, Lingonberry, Loganberry, Loquat, Lychee, Macadamia, Mango, Mangosteen, Medlar, Melon (water, rock, honeydew, etc), Morello cherry, Mulberry, Neem fruit, Nutmeg, Olive, Oil palm fruit, Pawpaw, Carica papaya, Asimina triloba, Passionfruit, Pea, Peach, Nectarine, Peanut, Pear, Pecan, Pepino, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plantain, Plum, Pomelo, Quince, Pomegranate, Physalis (cape gooseberry), Pumpkin, Rambutan, Raspberry, Redcurrant, Rhubarb, Sapodilla (chikoo), Soursop, strawberry, Sugar-apple (sharifa), Sweet chestnut, Sweetsop, Tamarillo, Tamarind, Tomato, Ugli fruit, Walnut, Water Apple, coffee, vanilla and Grape; more preferably selected from the list consisting of Apple, Cherry, Morello cherry, Mulberry, Olive, Pear, Strawberry, Coffee and Grape; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Apple, Cherry, Strawberry, coffee and Grape; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Apple, Cherry, Strawberry and Grape.

[0056] A vegetable is preferably a legume, more preferably selected from the list consisting of Brassica oleracea (e.g. cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Chinese broccoli, collard greens), Brassica rapa (e.g. turnip, Chinese cabbage, napa cabbage, bokchoy), Raphanus sativus (e.g. radish, daikon, seedpod varieties), Daucus carota (e.g. carrot); Pastinaca sativa (e.g. parsnip), Beta vulgaris (e.g. beetroot, sea beet, Swiss chard, sugar beet), Lactuca sativa (e.g. lettuce, celtuce), Asparagus officinalis (e.g. asparagus), Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus, Phaseolus lunatus (e.g. green bean, French bean, runner bean, haricot bean, Lima bean), Vicia faba (e.g. broad bean), Pisum sativum (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea, split pea), Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato), Solanum melongena (e.g. eggplant), Solanum lycopersicum (e.g. tomato), Cucumis sativus (e.g. cucumber), a Cucurbitaspecies (e.g. pumpkin, squash, marrow, zucchini, gourd), Allium cepa (e.g. onion, spring onion, scallion, shallot), Allium sativum (e.g. garlic), Allium ampeloprasum (e.g. leek, elephant garlic), Capsicum annuum (e.g. pepper, bell pepper, sweet pepper), Spinacia oleracea (e.g. spinach), a Dioscorea species (e.g. yam), Ipomoea batatas (e.g. sweet potato) and Manihot esculenta (e.g. cassava); more preferably selected from the list consisting of Vicia faba (e.g. broad bean), Pisum sativum (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea, split pea) and Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato); most preferably Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato).

[0057] In a more preferred embodiment, said plant is selected from the list consisting of Corn; Cotton; Cereals including wheat (winter and spring), spelt, durum, rye, barley, oats, millet and triticale; Oilseed rape as used herein includes Brassica napus subsp. napus, also referred to as Argentine canola, rapeseed or rape and the specific group of cultivars, canola; Brassica rapa, also known as Polish Canola and Brassica juncea, also known as quality canola brown mustard; Perennials as used herein includes, Coffee, Sugar cane; Fruit-bearing plants such as Abiu, Almond, Amla (Indian gooseberry), Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Bael, BerJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT (Indian plum), Carambola (starfruit), Cashew, Cherry, Citrus (clementine, lemon, lime, orange etc.), Coconut, Crab apple, Damson, Durian, Elderberry, Fig, Grapefruit, Guava, Jackfruit, Jujube, Loquat, Lychee, Mango, Medlar, Morello cherry, Mulberry, Olive, Pawpaw, both the tropical Carica papaya and the North American Asimina triloba, Peach and nectarine, Pear, Pecan, Persimmon, Plum, Pomelo, Quince, Pomegranate, Rambutan, Sapodilla (chikoo), Soursop, strawberry, Sugar-apple (sharifa), Sweet chestnut, Tamarillo, Ugli fruit, Walnut, Water Apple and Grapes; Rice; Sorghum, Soybean; Turfgrass; Vegetables including Brassica oleracea (e.g. cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Chinese broccoli, collard greens), Brassica rapa (e.g. turnip, Chinese cabbage, napa cabbage, bok choy), Raphanus sativus (e.g. radish, daikon, seedpod varieties), Daucus carota (e.g. carrot); Pastinaca sativa (e.g. parsnip), Beta vulgaris (e.g. beetroot, sea beet, Swiss chard, sugar beet), Lactuca sativa (e.g. lettuce, celtuce), Asparagus officinalis (e.g. asparagus), Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus lunatus (e.g. green bean, French bean, runner bean, haricot bean, Lima bean), Vicia faba (e.g. broad bean), Pisum sativum (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea, split pea), Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato), Solanum melongena (e.g. eggplant), Solanum lycopersicum (e.g. tomato), Cucumis sativus (e.g. cucumber), a Cucurbita species (e.g. pumpkin, squash, marrow, zucchini, gourd), Allium cepa (e.g. onion, spring onion, scallion, shallot), Allium sativum (e.g. garlic), Allium ampeloprasum (e.g. leek, elephant garlic), Capsicum annuum (e.g. pepper, bell pepper, sweet pepper), Spinacia oleracea (e.g. spinach), a Dioscorea species (e.g. yam), Ipomoea batatas (e.g. sweet potato) and Manihot esculenta (e.g. cassava).

[0058] In an even more preferred embodiment, said plant is selected from the list consisting of Corn; Cotton; a Cereal, including wheat (winter and spring), spelt, durum, rye, barley, oat, millet and / or triticale; Oilseed rape, including Brassica napus subsp. napus, also referred to as Argentine canola, rapeseed or rape; a Perennial, including Coffee; Sugar cane; and / or a Fruit-bearing plant such as Apple, Cherry, Morello cherry, Mulberry, Olive, Pear, Strawberry and / or Grape; Rice, Soybean; Vicia faba (e.g. broad bean); Pisum sativum (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea and / or split pea) and Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato).

[0059] In an even more preferred embodiment, said plant is selected from the list consisting of: Corn; Cotton; a Cereal including wheat (winter and spring), barley; Oilseed rape, including Brassica napus subsp. Napus; a Perennial, including Coffee; Sugar cane; and / or a Fruit-bearing plant such as Apple, Cherry, Strawberry and / or Grape; Soybean and Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato).

[0060] Said plant may be a wild-type, cultivar (including a cultigen, hybrid or chimaera (e.g. a grafted plant)) and / or plant which has been genetically-modified through gene-editing (e.g. CRISPR) or transformed by use of recombinant DNA / RNA techniques (transgenic plants). In some embodiments, the plant may be modified for enhanced resistance to one or more of a biotic stress such as an insect, a fungus, a bacterium, a nematode, a mollusc, a virus or a viroid and / or an abiotic stress (as defined herein). This includes plants made resistant thereto by way of: breeding, including selection or mutagenesis; genetic modification through gene editing; or transformation by the use of recombinant DNA techniques, such that for example, they are capable of synthesizing one or more selectively acting toxins, such as those known from toxinproducing bacteria, especially those of the genus Bacillus. For example, the plant may be modified for enhanced resistance to fungal (for example Fusarium, Anthracnose, or Phytophthora species), bacterial (for example Pseudomonas species) or viral (for example potato leafroll virus, tomato spotted wilt virus,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT cucumber mosaic virus) pathogens. In other embodiments, the plant may be modified for enhanced resistance to nematodes, such as the soybean cyst nematode or to an abiotic stress in the form of a herbicide, heat, frost, drought or water-logging.

[0061] It is contemplated that the present invention may be combined with one or more recombinant traits or transgenic event(s), or a combination thereof. For the purposes of this application, a recombinant trait or transgenic event is created by the insertion of a specific recombinant DNA molecule into a specific position (locus) within the chromosome of the plant genome. The insertion creates a novel DNA sequence referred to as an “event” and is characterized by the inserted recombinant DNA molecule and some amount of genomic DNA immediately adjacent to / flanking both ends of the inserted DNA. Such trait(s) or transgenic event(s) include, but are not limited to: pest resistance; water use efficiency; yield performance; osmotic stress tolerance; drought tolerance (water deficit) tolerance; flood stress (water excess) tolerance; heat tolerance; cold tolerance (including frost, hail and / or snow tolerance); radiation tolerance (including sunburn tolerance); wind tolerance; nutrient starvation (e.g. nitrogen, potassium and / or phosphate starvation) tolerance; seed quality; improved nutritional quality; hybrid seed production; soil toxicity stress (e.g. salt stress (soil salinization) and / or heavy metal toxicity); and herbicide tolerance, in which the trait is measured with respect to a plant lacking such trait or transgenic event. Concrete examples of such advantageous and / or useful properties (traits) are better plant growth, vigor (overall health / vitality), stress tolerance, standability, lodging resistance, nutrient uptake, plant nutrition, and / or yield, in particular improved growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to levels of water or soil salinity, enhanced flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated ripening, higher yields, higher quality and / or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, better storage life and / or processability of the harvested products, increased tolerance to specific herbicides, and increased resistance against animal and microbial pests, such as against insects, arachnids, nematodes, mites, slugs and snails. Among DNA sequences encoding proteins which confer properties of tolerance to such animal and microbial pests, in particular insects, mention will particularly be made of the genetic material from Bacillus thuringiensis encoding the Bt proteins widely described in the literature and well known to those skilled in the art. Mention will also be made of proteins extracted from bacteria such as Photorhabdus species (W097 / 17432 and WO98 / 08932). In particular, mention will be made of the Bt Cry or VIP proteins which include the CrylA, CrylAb, CrylAc, CryllA, CrylllA, CrylllB2, Cry9c Cry2Ab, Cry3Bb and CrylF proteins or toxic fragments thereof and also hybrids or combinations thereof, especially the CrylF protein or hybrids derived from a CrylF protein (e.g. hybrid CrylA-CrylF proteins or toxic fragments thereof), the CrylA-type proteins or toxic fragments thereof, preferably the CrylAc protein or hybrids derived from the CrylAc protein (e.g. hybrid CrylAb-CrylAc proteins) or the CrylAb or Bt2 protein or toxic fragments thereof, the Cry2Ae, Cry2Af or Cry2Ag proteins or toxic fragments thereof, the CrylA.105 protein or a toxic fragment thereof, the VIP3Aal9 protein, the VIP3Aa20 protein, the VIP3A proteins produced in the COT202 or COT203 cotton events, the VIP3Aa protein or a toxic fragment thereof as described in Estruch et al. (1996), Proc Natl Acad Sci US A. 28;93(11):5389- 94, the Cry proteins as described in WO2001 / 47952, the insecticidal proteins from Xenorhabdus species (as described in WO98 / 50427), Serratia species (particularly from S. entomophila) or Photorhabdus species strains, such as Tc-proteins from Photorhabdus species as described in WO98 / 08932. Also, any variants or mutants of any one of these proteins differing in some amino acids (1-10, preferably 1-5) from any of the above-named sequences, particularly the sequence of their toxic fragment, or which are fused to a transit peptide, such as a plastid transit peptide, or anotherJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT protein or peptide, is included herein.

[0062] Another and particularly emphasized example of such properties is conferred tolerance to one or more herbicides, for example imidazolinones, sulphonylureas, glyphosate or phosphinothricin by either mutagenesis, for example, Clearfield™ imidazolinone tolerant varieties, or transgenic techniques. Among DNA sequences encoding proteins which confer properties of tolerance to certain herbicides on the transformed plant cells and plants, mention will be particularly be made to the bar or PAT gene or the Streptomyces coelicolor gene described in W02009 / 152359 which confers tolerance to glufosinate herbicides, a gene encoding a suitable EPSPS (5-Enolpyruvylshikimat-3-phosphat-synthase) which confers tolerance to herbicides having EPSPS as a target, especially herbicides such as glyphosate and its salts, a gene encoding glyphosate-n-acetyltransferase, or a gene encoding glyphosate oxidoreductase. Further suitable herbicide tolerance traits include at least one ALS (acetolactate synthase) inhibitor (e.g., W02007 / 024782), a mutated Arabidopsis ALS / AHAS gene (e.g., U.S. Patent 6,855,533), genes encoding 2,4-D-monooxygenases conferring tolerance to 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and genes encoding Dicamba monooxygenases conferring tolerance to dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid).

[0063] Yet another example of such properties is resistance to one or more phytopathogenic fungi, for example Asian Soybean Rust. Among DNA sequences encoding proteins which confer properties of resistance to such diseases, mention will particularly be made of the genetic material from glycine tomentella, for example from any one of publicly available accession lines PI441001 , PI483224, PI583970, PI446958, PI499939, PI505220, PI499933, PI441008, PI505256 or PI446961 as described in W02019 / 103918. Further and particularly emphasized examples of such properties are increased resistance against bacteria and / or viruses owing, for example, to systemic acquired resistance (SAR), systemin, phytoalexins, elicitors and also resistance genes and correspondingly expressed proteins and toxins.

[0064] Crops may also be modified for enhanced resistance to fungal (for example Fusarium, Anthracnose, or Phytophthora), bacterial (for example Pseudomonas) or viral (for example potato leafroll virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, cucumber mosaic virus) pathogens.

[0065] Crops also include those that have enhanced resistance to nematodes, such as the soybean cyst nematode.

[0066] Representative transgenic events in transgenic plants or plant cultivars which can be treated in accordance with the invention include Event 531 / PV-GHBK04 (cotton, insect control, described in W02002 / 040677), Event 1143-14A (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02006 / 128569); Event 1143-51 B (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02006 / 128570); Event 1445 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2002- 120964 or W02002 / 034946); Event 17053 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-9843, described in WO2010 / 117737); Event 17314 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-9844, described in WG2010 / 1 17735); Event 281-24-236 (cotton, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-6233, described in W02005 / 103266 or US-A 2005-216969); Event 3006-210-23 (cotton, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-6233, described in US-A 2007-143876 or W02005 / 103266); Event 3272 (corn, quality trait, deposited as PTA-9972, described in W02006 / 098952 or US-A-2006-230473); Event 33391 (wheat, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-2347, described in W02002 / 027004), Event 40416 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11508, described in WO11 / 075593); Event 43A47 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11509, described in WO2011 / 075595); Event 5307 (corn, insect control,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT deposited as ATCC PTA-9561 , described in WO2010 / 077816); Event ASR-368 (bent grass, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4816, described in US-A 2006-162007 or W02004 / 053062); Event B16 (corn, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A-2003-126634); Event BPS-CV127- 9 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB No. 41603, described in WO2010 / 080829); Event BLRI (oilseed rape, restoration of male sterility, deposited as NCIMB 41193, described in W02005 / 074671), Event CE43-67B (cotton, insect control, deposited as DSM ACC2724, described in US-A-2009-217423 or W02006 / 128573); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A-2010-0024077); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02006 / 128571); Event CE46-02A (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02006 / 128572); Event COT102 (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2006-130175 or W02004 / 039986); Event COT202 (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A-2007-067868 or W02005 / 054479); Event COT203 (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02005 / 054480); ); Event DAS21606-311606 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11028, described in WO2012 / 033794), Event DAS40278 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10244, described in WO2011 / 022469); Event DAS-44406-6 I pDAB8264.44.06.l (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11336, described in WO2012 / 075426), Event DAS-14536-7 / pDAB8291.45.36.2 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11335, described in WO2012 / 075429), Event DAS-59122-7 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA 11384, described in US-A 2006-070139); Event DAS-59132 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in W02009 / 100188); Event DAS68416 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10442, described in WO2011 / 066384 or WO2011 / 066360); Event DP-098140-6 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8296, described in US-A 2009- 137395 or W02008 / 112019); Event DP-305423-1 (soybean, quality trait, not deposited, described in US-A-2008-312082 or W02008 / 054747); Event DP-32138-1 (corn, hybridization system, deposited as ATCC PTA-9158, described in US-A-2009-0210970 or W02009 / 103049); Event DP-356043-5 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8287, described in US-A 2010-0184079 or W02008 / 002872); Event EE-I (brinjal, insect control, not deposited, described in WO 07 / 091277); Event Fil 17 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209031 , described in US-A 2006-059581 or W098 / 044140); Event FG72 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11041 , described in WO2011 / 063413), Event GA21 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209033, described in US-A-2005-086719 or WO 98 / 044140); Event GG25 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209032, described in US-A 2005-188434 or W098 / 044140); Event GHB119 (cotton, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8398, described in W02008 / 151780); Event GHB614 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-6878, described in US-A-2010-050282 or W02007 / 017186); Event GJ11 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209030, described in US-A 2005-188434 or WG98 / 044140); Event GM RZ13 (sugar beet, virus resistance, deposited as NCIMB-41601 , described in WO2010 / 076212); Event H7-I (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41158 or NCIMB 41159, described in US-A 2004-172669 or WO 2004 / 074492); Event JOPLINI (wheat, disease tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A-2008-064032); Event LL27 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB41658, described in W02006 / 108674 or US-A-2008-320616); Event LL55 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41660, described in WO 2006 / 108675 or US-A-2008-196127); Event LLcotton25 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-3343, described in W02003 / 013224 or US-A-2003-097687); Event LLRICE06 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 203353, described in US6,468,747 or W02000 / 026345); Event LLRice62 (January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 203352, described in W02000 / 026345), Event LLRICE601 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2600, described in US-A-2008-2289060 or W02000 / 026356); Event LY038 (corn, quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-5623, described in US-A-2007-028322 or W02005 / 061720); Event MIR162 (corn, insect control, deposited as PTA- 8166, described in US-A-2009-300784 or W02007 / 142840); Event MIR604 (corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A-2008-167456 or W02005 / 103301); Event MON15985 (cotton, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-2516, described in US-A-2004-250317 or W02002 / 100163); Event MON810 (corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A-2002- 102582); Event MON863 (corn, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-2605, described in W02004 / 011601 or US-A-2006-095986); Event MON87427 (corn, pollination control, deposited as ATCC PTA-7899, described in WO2011 / 062904); Event MON87460 (corn, stress tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8910, described in W02009 / 111263 or US-A-2011-0138504); Event MON87701 (soybean, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA- 8194, described in US-A 2009- 130071 or W02009 / 064652); Event MON87705 (soybean, quality trait - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-9241 , described in US-A-2010-0080887 or WO2010 / 037016); Event MON87708 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-9670, described in WO2011 / 034704); Event MON87712 (soybean, yield, deposited as PTA-10296, described in W02012 / 051199), Event MON87754 (soybean, quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-9385, described in WO2010 / 024976); Event MON87769 (soybean, quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA- 8911 , described in US-A-2011-0067141 or W02009 / 102873); Event MON88017 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-5582, described in US-A-2008-028482 or W02005 / 059103); Event MON88913 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4854, described in W02004 / 072235 or US-A-2006-059590); Event MON88302 (oilseed rape, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-10955, described in WO2011 / 153186), Event MON88701 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11754, described in WO2012 / 134808), Event MON89034 (corn, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-7455, described in WO 07 / 140256 or US-A-2008-260932); Event MON89788 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-6708, described in US-A-2006-282915 or W02006 / 130436); Event MS11 (oilseed rape, pollination control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-850 or PTA-2485, described in W02001 / 031042); Event MS8 (oilseed rape, pollination control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-730, described in W02001 / 041558 or US-A-2003-188347); Event NK603 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2478, described in US-A 2007-292854); Event PE-7 (rice, insect control, not deposited, described in W02008 / 114282); Event RF3 (oilseed rape, pollination control -herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-730, described in W02001 / 041558 or US-A-2003-188347); Event RT73 (oilseed rape, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in W02002 / 036831 or US-A-2008-070260); Event SYHT0H2 / SYN-000H2-5 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11226, described in WO2012 / 082548), Event T227-1 (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in W02002 / 44407 or US-A-2009-265817); Event T25 (corn, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A-2001-029014 or W02001 / 051654); Event T304-40 (cotton, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8171 , described in US-A-2010-077501 or W02008 / 122406); Event T342-142 (cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in W02006 / 128568); Event TC1507 (corn, insect control -herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A-2005-039226 or W02004 / 099447); Event VIP1034 (corn, insect control - herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-3925, described in W02003 / 052073), Event 32316 (corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11507, described in WO2011 / 084632), Event 4114 (corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11506,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT described in W02011 / 084621), Event EE-GM3 I FG72 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11041) optionally stacked with Event EE-GM1 / LL27 or Event EE- GM2 / LL55 (WO2011 / 063413A2), Event DAS-68416-4 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N° PTA-10442, WO2011 / 066360AI), Event DAS-68416-4 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N° PTA-10442, WO2011 / 066384AI), Event DP-040416-8 (corn, insect control, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11508, WO2011 / 075593AI), Event DP-043A47-3 (corn, insect control, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11509, WO2011 / 075595AI), Event DP- 004114-3 (corn, insect control, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11506, WO2011 / 084621 Al), Event DP-032316-8 (corn, insect control, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11507, WO2011 / 084632AI), Event MON-88302-9 (oilseed rape, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N° PTA-10955, WO2011 / 153186AI), Event DAS-21606-3 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession No. PTA-11028, WO2012 / 033794A2), Event MON-87712-4 (soybean, quality trait, ATCC Accession N°. PTA-10296, WO2012 / 051199A2), Event DAS-44406-6 (soybean, stacked herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N°. PTA-11336, WO2012 / 075426AI), Event DAS-14536-7 (soybean, stacked herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N°. PTA-11335, WO2012 / 075429AI), Event SYN-000H2-5 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N°. PTA-11226, WO2012 / 082548A2), Event DP-061061-7 (oilseed rape, herbicide tolerance, no deposit N° available, W02012071039AI), Event DP-073496-4 (oilseed rape, herbicide tolerance, no deposit N° available, US2012131692), Event 8264.44.06.1 (soybean, stacked herbicide tolerance, Accession N° PTA-11336, WO2012075426A2), Event 8291.45.36.2 (soybean, stacked herbicide tolerance, Accession N°. PTA-11335, WO2012075429A2), Event SYHT0H2 (soybean, ATCC Accession N°. PTA-11226, WO2012 / 082548A2), Event MON88701 (cotton, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11754, WO2012 / 134808AI), Event KK179-2 (alfalfa, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11833, W02013 / 003558AI), Event pDAB8264.42.32.1 (soybean, stacked herbicide tolerance, ATCC Accession N° PTA-11993, WG2013 / 010094AI), and Event MZDT09Y (corn, ATCC Accession N° PTA-13025, WO2013 / 012775AI).

[0067] Further, a list of such transgenic event(s) is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and can be found on their website on the world wide web at https: / / www.aphis.usda.gov. For this application, the status of such list as it is / was on the filing date of this application, is relevant. The genes / events which impart the desired traits in question may also be present in combination with one another in the transgenic plants. Examples of transgenic plants which may be mentioned are the important crop plants, such as cereals (wheat, rice, triticale, barley, rye, oats), maize, soya beans, potatoes, sugar beet, sugar cane, tomatoes, peas and other types of vegetable, cotton, tobacco, oilseed rape and also fruit plants (with the fruits apples, pears, citrus fruits and grapes), with particular emphasis being given to maize, soya beans, wheat, rice, potatoes, cotton, sugar cane, tobacco and oilseed rape. Traits which are particularly emphasized are the increased resistance of the plants to insects, arachnids, nematodes and slugs and snails, as well as the increased resistance of the plants to one or more herbicides.

[0068] Commercially available examples of such plants, plant parts or plant seeds that may be treated with preference in accordance with the invention include commercial products, such as plant seeds, sold or distributed under the GENUITY®, DROUGHTGARD®, SMARTSTAX®, RIB COMPLETE®, ROUNDUP READY®, VT DOUBLE PRO®, VT TRIPLE PRO®, BOLLGARD II®, ROUNDUP READY 2 YIELD®, YIELDGARD®, ROUNDUP READY® 2 XTEND™, INTACTA RR2 PRO®, VISTIVE GOLD®, and / or XTENDFLEX™ trade names.

[0069] Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention are those plants which areJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT resistant to one or more abiotic stresses, i.e., that already exhibit an increased plant health with respect to stress tolerance. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure, ozone exposure, high light exposure, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients, shade avoidance. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars with the composition of the present invention additionally increases the overall plant health.

[0070] Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the present disclosure, are those plants characterized by enhanced yield characteristics i.e., that already exhibit an increased plant health with respect to this feature. Increased yield in said plants can be the result of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can furthermore be affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but not limited to, early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storage stability. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars with the composition of the present invention additionally increases the overall plant health.

[0071] Saccharide

[0072] In an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method comprises the step of applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid.

[0073] As understood by the skilled person, the term “saccharide” refers to a molecule comprising at least one monosaccharide, preferably it refers to a molecule consisting of one or more monosaccharide residue(s). The term “monosaccharide” as used herein refers to a sugar that is not decomposable into simpler sugars by hydrolysis, is classed either an aldose or ketose, and contains one or more hydroxyl groups per molecule. Monosaccharides are hence saccharides containing only one simple sugar. The term “oligosaccharide” preferably refers to a saccharide containing 2 up to and including 20 monosaccharides, i.e. the degree of polymerization (DP) is 2-20. A monosaccharide can be in the cyclic form (e.g. pyranose or furanose form) or acyclic (i.e. open-chain) form. An oligosaccharide can be a linear structure or can include branches. The linkage (e.g. glycosidic linkage, galactosidic linkage, glucosidic linkage, etc.) between two sugar units can be expressed, for example, as 1 ,4, 1 ->4, or (1-4), used interchangeably herein. An oligosaccharide can contain both alpha- and beta-glycosidic bonds or can contain only beta-glycosidic bonds. More preferably, in the context of the present invention, an oligosaccharide consists of at least 3 monosaccharides. Even more preferably, in the context of the present invention, an oligosaccharide consists of 3-12, preferably 3-11 , more preferably 3-10, even more preferably 3-9, even more preferably 3-8, even more preferably 3-7, even more preferably 3-6, most preferably 3-5, monosaccharides. For the sake of clarity, throughout the application and claims, the expression “x-y” refers to a range from andJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT including x to and including y. For example, 3-5 monosaccharides means that 3, 4 or 5 monosaccharides are present.

[0074] Throughout the application and claims, it is preferred that an oligosaccharide according to the invention (i.e. as described in the present Section “Saccharide”) is not lactose, more preferably is not a disaccharide. For the sake of clarity and as well understood by the person skilled in the art, throughout the application and claims, a monosaccharide that is bound to another monosaccharide via a glycosidic bound in for example the disaccharide lactose, is either simply designated as the monosaccharide (i.e. qalactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose) or designated according to the nomenclature (i.e. qalactosyl-beta-1 ,4-glucose). The monosaccharide in question is underlined to illustrate the different ways of designating the same molecule (lactose in the present example).

[0075] The term “sialic acid” in the context of the present invention is a monosaccharide. Preferably, said sialic acid has a nine-carbon backbone (i.e. a nine-carbon sialic acid) or an eight-carbon backbone (i.e. an eight-carbon sialic acid), more preferably a nine-carbon backbone (i.e. a nine-carbon sialic acid).

[0076] A sialic acid having a nine-carbon backbone is well-known to the skilled person and refers to a group of monosaccharides that are derived from an acidic, nine-carbon parent compound being either N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or 2-keto-3-deoxynononic acid (Kdn; a desamino form of N-acetylneuraminic acid), by modification such as addition of acetyl, phosphate, methyl, sulfate and / or lactyl groups. Further, the N-acetylgroup of Neu5Ac can be hydroxylated giving rise to N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). More than 50 different examples of a sialic acid having a nine-carbon backbone are known (Essentials of Glycobiology, 2ndedition, 2009, Chapter 14, Varki and Schauer). A sialic acid having an eight-carbon backbone is structurally related to a sialic acid having a nine-carbon backbone, in particular related to Kdn (Essentials of Glycobiology, 2ndedition, 2009, Chapter 14, Varki and Schauer). Hence, the term “sialic acid having an eight-carbon backbone” is preferably replaced with “eight-carbon 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid”.

[0077] A nine-carbon sialic acid is preferably selected from the list consisting of Neu5Ac; Neu4Ac; Neu4,5Ac2; Neu5,7Ac2; Neu5,8Ac2; Neu5,9Ac2; Neu4,5,9Ac3; Neu5,7,9Ac3; Neu5,8,9Ac3; Neu4,5,7,9Ac4; Neu5,7,8,9Ac4, Neu4,5,7,8,9Ac5 and Neu5Gc; more preferably said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (i.e. Neu5Ac). Throughout the application and claims, the term “nine-carbon sialic acid is preferably replaced with “N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)”.

[0078] An eight-carbon sialic acid is preferably ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO; i.e. 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-mannooctanoic acid, also known as 2-oxo-3-deoxy-D-mannooctonic acid, 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid, 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid or 3-deoxy-D-manno-Oct-2-ulo-Pyranosonic acid). Throughout the application and claims, the term “eight-carbon sialic acid is preferably replaced with “eight-carbon 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid”, more preferably replaced with “ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO)”.

[0079] In a particularly preferred embodiment, said sialic acid according to the invention is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO), preferably N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

[0080] The term “saccharide, wherein said saccharide is an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine”, as understood by the skilled person refers to the disaccharide galactose-beta-X or an oligosaccharide comprising the disaccharide galactose-beta-X (at its reducing end) and at least one additional monosaccharide. Said at least one additional monosaccharideJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT is preferably selected from the list consisting of N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid, more preferably selected from the list consisting of N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, fucose and sialic acid.

[0081] For the sake of clarity and as understood by the skilled person, the term “an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end” refers to an oligosaccharide that is constituted of at least said galactose-beta-X and optionally one or more additional monosaccharides. Said galactose-beta-X is hence part of said oligosaccharide and said X constitutes the reducing end of said oligosaccharide. Likewise, the term “an oligosaccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end” refers to an oligosaccharide that is constituted of at least said lactose and optionally one or more additional monosaccharides. Said lactose is hence part of said oligosaccharide and the glucose of lactose constitutes the reducing end of said oligosaccharide. Likewise, the term “an oligosaccharide comprising lacto-N-biose (LNB) at its reducing end” refers to an oligosaccharide that is constituted of at least said LNB and optionally one or more additional monosaccharides. Said LNB is hence part of said oligosaccharide and the N-acetylglucosamine of LNB constitutes the reducing end of said oligosaccharide. Likewise, the term “an oligosaccharide comprising N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end” refers to an oligosaccharide that is constituted of at least said LacNAc and optionally one or more additional monosaccharides. Said LacNAc is hence part of said oligosaccharide and the N-acetylglucosamine of LacNAc constitutes the reducing end of said oligosaccharide.

[0082] For the sake of clarity, examples of an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X (wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) at its reducing end include lactose (qalactose-beta-1 ,4-qlucose); N-acetyllactosamine (qalactose-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc); lacto-N-biose (qalactose-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc); lacto-N-neotetraose (galactose-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-qalactose-beta-1 ,4-qlucose); 3-fucosyllactose (qalactose-beta-1 ,4-(fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)qlucose); 2-fucosyllactose (fucose-alpha-1 ,2-qalactose-beta-1 ,4-qlucose); lacto-N-fucopentaose (galactose-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-qalactose-beta-1 ,4-(fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)qlucose) and sialyl lewis x (Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-qalactose-beta-1 ,4-(fucose-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc; wherein the disaccharide galactose-beta-X (wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) located at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide is underlined.

[0083] The term “galactose-beta-X, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine” refers to a disaccharide wherein said galactose and said X (i.e. glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) are linked through a beta-linkage, preferably through a beta-1 ,4-linkage or beta-1 ,3-linkage, most preferably through a beta-1 ,4-linkage. In other words, the expression “galactose-beta-X, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine” is preferably replaced with “galactose-beta-1 ,4-X or galactose-beta-1 ,3-X, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine”, most preferably replaced with “galactose-beta-1 ,4-X, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine”. Throughout the application and claims, when X is glucose in the structure galactose-beta-X as disclosed herein, it is particularly preferred that the linkage is a beta-1 ,4-linkage (i.e. galactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose).

[0084] Throughout the application and claims, “X” is preferably replaced with glucose. In other words, an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine is preferably an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-glucose at its reducing end, most preferably an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose at its reducing end (i.e. an oligosaccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end).January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT In a preferred embodiment, said oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or a N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably comprises a lactose or a N-acetyllactosamine at its reducing end, most preferably comprises a lactose at its reducing end.

[0085] An oligosaccharide according to the invention (i.e. oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) comprising lactose at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of:

[0086] not fucosy I ated:

[0087] lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6- (GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Gal- alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc- beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N- neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3- GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Gal-beta-1 ,3-GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto- N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II), para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II), lacto-N-heptaose, lacto-N-neoheptaose, para lacto-N-neoheptaose, para lacto-N-heptaose, lacto-N-octaose (LNO), lacto-N-neooctaose, iso lacto-N-octaose, para lacto-N-octaose, iso lacto- N-neooctaose, novo lacto-N-neooctaose, para lacto-N-neooctaose, iso lacto-N-nonaose, novo lacto-N-nonaose, lacto-N-nonaose, lacto-N-decaose, iso lacto-N-decaose, novo lacto-N-decaose and lacto-N-neodecaose; more preferably selected form the list consisting of lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta- 1.3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GIcNAc- beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3- GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N- neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta- 1.4-Glc, GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Gal-beta-1 ,3-GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II), para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II), lacto-N-heptaose, lacto- N-neoheptaose, para lacto-N-neoheptaose, para lacto-N-heptaose, lacto-N-octaose (LNO), lacto- N-neooctaose, iso lacto-N-octaose, para lacto-N-octaose, iso lacto-N-neooctaose, novo lacto-N- neooctaose, para lacto-N-neooctaose, iso lacto-N-nonaose, novo lacto-N-nonaose, lacto-N- nonaose, lacto-N-decaose, iso lacto-N-decaose, novo lacto-N-decaose and lacto-N-neodecaose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GIcNAc- beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N- neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal- beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6- (Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta- 1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Lacto-N-pentaose, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Gal-beta-1 ,3-GalNAc-beta-1 ,3-LNT, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, GIcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), GIcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-neohexaose II (pLNnH II) and para-lacto-N-hexaose II (pLNH II); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT II), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), Lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH) and para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of LN3, LNT and LNnT; even more preferably LNT or LNnT, most preferably LNnT; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein; fucosylated:

[0088] 2’-fucosyl lactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (di FL), Lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)Glc, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha- 1.3-)Glc, lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), Gal-LNFP I, GalNAc-LNFP I, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta- 1.4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewisx, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha- 1.3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH) and trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH); more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), Lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)Glc, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha- 1.3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), Gal-LNFP I, GalNAc-LNFP I, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta- 1.3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GIcNAc-beta- 1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH) and trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), Lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)Glc, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha- 1.3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), Gal-LNFP I, GalNAc-LNFP I, Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta- 1.3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GIcNAc-beta-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc- alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3- )Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc and monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), Lacto-N- neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), lacto- N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc- alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc and monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), Lacto-N- neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), lacto- N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3- )Glc and monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyl lactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), Lacto-N- neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I) and lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNnFP V, LNnDFH and LNFP V; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNnFP V, LNnDFH and LNFP V; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, LNnFP V, LNnDFH and LNFP V; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, LNnFP V and LNFP V, even more preferably 3- FL or LNFP V; most preferably 3-FL;

[0089] optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein.

[0090] For the sake of clarity, throughout the application and claims, “Glc” refers to glucose, “Gal” to galactose, “GIcNAc” to N-acetylglucosamine, “GalNac” to N-acetylgalactosamine, “Neu5Ac” to N-acetylneuraminic acid and “Fuc” to fucose.

[0091] Throughout the application and claims, a list of oligosaccharides reciting lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III) is preferably replaced with the same list of oligosaccharides but wherein lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III) is removed.

[0092] Throughout the application and claims, a list of oligosaccharides reciting difucosyllactose (diFL) is preferably replaced with the same list of oligosaccharides but wherein difucosyllactose (diFL) is removed. An oligosaccharide according to the invention (i.e. oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) comprising LNB at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of:

[0093] not fucosy I ated:

[0094] lacto-N-biose (LNB); optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein;

[0095] fucosylated:

[0096] 2’-fucosyl lacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB; Lewis a) and difucosyllato-N- biose (diFLNB; Lewis b); more preferably 2’FLNB or diFLNB;January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein.

[0097] An oligosaccharide according to the invention (i.e. oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine) comprising LacNAc at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of:

[0098] not fucosy I ated:

[0099] N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) or poly-N-acetyllactosamine, preferably LacNAc; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein;

[0100] fucosylated:

[0101] 3-fucosyl-N-Acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc; lewis x), 2’- fucosyl-N-Acetyllactosamine (2’FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFlacNAc; lewis y);

[0102] optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises a sialic acid as described herein.

[0103] An oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, according to the invention can be a neutral oligosaccharide or a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide.

[0104] For the sake of clarity, the terms “sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide” and “sialylated oligosaccharide” are interchangeably used herein and refers to an oligosaccharide comprising a sialic acid, i.e. an oligosaccharide comprising one or more sialic acid residue(s).

[0105] The term “neutral” oligosaccharide as used herein and as generally understood in the state of the art is an oligosaccharide that has no negative charge originating from a carboxylic acid group.

[0106] In view of the excellent results achieved in a method according to the invention, especially for (i) protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress according to the invention, (ii) enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of plant according to the invention, (iii) protecting a flower from abiotic stress according to the invention, and (iv) enhancing the growth and / or development of a flower according to the invention; it is in fact particularly more preferred that said oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, according to the invention, comprises a sialic acid, i.e. is a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide. An oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, according to the invention, is hence particularly preferred as described in the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide".

[0107] Alternatively, in view of the excellent results achieved in a method according to the invention, especially for (i) protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress according to the invention and (ii) enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of plant according to the invention; it is particularly more preferred that said oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, according to the invention, comprises a fucose, i.e. is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide. An oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, according to the invention, is hence particularly preferred as described in the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide". For the sake of clarity, the terms “fucose-containing saccharide” and “fucosylated saccharide” are interchangeably used herein and refers to a saccharide comprising a fucose, i.e. a saccharide comprising one or more fucose residue(s).

[0108] Hence, throughout the application and claims, a “saccharide according to the invention”, i.e. (i) anJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; is preferably replaced with:

[0109] (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; or

[0110] (i) a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine.

[0111] In another preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid), as described herein, is in the form of an agronomically acceptable salt.

[0112] Suitable salts include, but are not limited to, salts of acceptable inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, carbonic, boric, sulfamic, and hydrobromic acids, or salts of agronomically acceptable organic acids such as acetic, propionic, butyric, tartaric, maleic, hydroxymaleic, fumaric, malic, citric, lactic, mucic, gluconic, benzoic, succinic, oxalic, phenylacetic, methanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, salicylic, sulfanilic, aspartic, glutamic, edetic, stearic, palmitic, oleic, lauric, pantothenic, tannic, ascorbic and valeric acids. Suitable salts also include salts of inorganic and organic bases, e.g. counterions such as Na, Ca, K, Li, Mg, Ni, Zn, Fe, Se, ammonium, trimethylsulfonium. The compounds may also be obtained, stored and / or used in the form of an N-oxide. Also included are acid addition salts or base salts wherein the counter ion is optically active, for example, d-lactate or l-lysine, or racemic, for example, dl-tartrate or dl-arginine.

[0113] In another preferred embodiment, said oligosaccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine), as described herein, is a milk oligosaccharide and / or a Lewis-type antigen oligosaccharide. Preferably, said Lewis-type antigen oligosaccharide is sialyl Lewis a or sialyl Lewis x.

[0114] In a more preferred embodiment, said oligosaccharide according to the invention is a milk oligosaccharide, i.e. an oligosaccharide which is found in milk of an animal, preferably a mammal and / or a human.

[0115] Preferably, said milk oligosaccharide is a mammalian milk oligosaccharide (MMO). More preferably, said milk oligosaccharide is a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO).

[0116] As understood by the skilled person, mammalian milk oligosaccharides (MMOs) comprise oligosaccharides present in milk found in any phase during lactation including colostrum milk from humans (i.e. human milk oligosaccharides or HMOs) and mammals including but not limited to cows (including domestic cows (Bos Taurus), water buffaloes (Bos bubalis) and yak (Bos grunniens) and zebu (Bos indicus)), sheep (Ov / s aries), goats (Capra aegagrus hircus), camels (including dromedary camels (Camelus bactrianus) and bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), llamas (Lama glama), alpacas (Lama pacoe)), horses (including domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus) and donkeys (Equus africanus asinus)), pigs (Sus scropha), deer (including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus Virginian us), elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifertarandus)), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), ezo brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis), polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), African elephant (Loxodonta africana), giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates), northern minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), tammarJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT wallabies (Macropus eugenii), red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula), koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus), platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) (see also Urashima T. et al., 2011 , Milk Oligosaccharides, Nova Biomedical Books, New York ISBN 978-1-61122-831-1 ; Coppa et al, 2013, Ital. J. Pediatr. 2013, 39(2)). A replete amount of milk oligosaccharide structures have been elucidated so far. The majority of milk oligosaccharides found in animals such as mammals and humans comprise lactose at the reducing end (Urashima et al, 2011). Other milk oligosaccharides comprise N-acetyllactosamine (Gal-p1 ,4-GlcNAc) or lacto-N-biose (Gal-p1 ,3-GlcNAc) at the reducing end (Urashima et al, 2011 ; Wrigglesworth et al, 2020, PLoS ONE 15(12); Urashima et al, 2013, Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem 77(3): p. 455-466; Wei et al, 2018, Sci. Rep. 8:4688). Examples hereof are 3’-SLN (Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-p1 ,4-GlcNAc) and 6 -SLN (Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-p1 ,4-GlcNAc) (Urashima et al, 2011 ; Wrigglesworth et al, 2020; Wei et al, 2018). Further, milk saccharides comprise milk glycosaminoglycans (GAGs; Coppa et al, 2013; Rai et al, 2021 , Int. J. Biol. Macromolecules, 193(A): p. 137-144). In the context of the invention, it is preferred that said oligosaccharide according to the invention is not a glycosaminoglycan.

[0117] Throughout the application and claims, a “mammalian milk oligosaccharide (MMO)” is preferably a “human milk oligosaccharide (HMO)”.

[0118] In another preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid), as described herein, has been isolated from a microbial cultivation or fermentation, cell culture, enzymatic reaction or chemical reaction. Alternatively, said saccharide according to the invention has been isolated by e.g. chromatography or filtration technology from a natural source such as a human or animal milk, preferably animal milk.

[0119] In an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention has been produced, preferably in vitro and / or ex vivo, by a cell, preferably a single cell, wherein said cell is preferably chosen from the list consisting of a microorganism, a plant cell, an animal cell and a protozoan cell. In other words, said saccharide according to the invention has been produced by an in vitro and / or ex vivo culture of cells, wherein said cells are preferably chosen from the list consisting of a microorganism, a plant cell, an animal cell or a protozoan cell. Preferably, said cell is a microorganism. Preferably, said microorganism is selected from a list consisting of a bacterium, a yeast and a fungus. More preferably, said microorganism is a bacterium, even more preferably said microorganism is Escherichia coli. Further, it is preferred that said cell is genetically engineered for the production of saccharide according to the invention.

[0120] In another preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid) as described herein is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrier for delivery of said saccharide. The linking of a saccharide to said carrier increases the avidity. Preferably, said carrier is a ceramide-based carrier or a polypeptide-based carrier, more preferably said carrier is a ceramide-based carrier. Preferably, said polypeptide-based carrier is epsilon-polylysine, alfa-polylysine, poly(aspartic acid), polyglutamic acid or polyornithine. These carriers are commercially available (e.g. Sigma-Aldrich, Carbosynth). Said ceramide-based carrier is preferably selected from a list consisting of d18:1 / 16:0, t18:0-16:0, t18:0-h16:0, t18:0-h22:0 and t18:0-h24:0. These ceramide carriers are commercially available andJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT well-known to the skilled person and are for example described in WO2010 / 037785 which is incorporated by reference. d18:1 / 16:0 is also known as C16 ceramide and N-palmitoylsphingosine and therefore interchangeably used herein. t18:0-16:0 is also known as C16 phytoceramide and N-hexadecanoyl phytosphingosine and therefore interchangeably used herein. t18:0-h16:0, t18:0-h22:0 and t18:0-h24:0 are glycosylinositolphosphoceramides (GIPCs). As known to the skilled person, “d” and “t” refer to the hydroxylation state of the whole ceramide or long-chain base moiety (d is 2 groups, t is 3 groups), whereas “h” denotes a hydroxylation of the fatty acyl group.

[0121] In another preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) sialic acid) and optionally any, preferably all, further saccharides according to the invention, is / are preferably encapsulated (i.e. forming an encapsulate). This is particularly advantageous to protect said saccharide(s). If any further saccharide is applied to said plant (referto Section “Additional saccharide”), than it is preferred that any, preferably all, further saccharides are encapsulated. It is preferred that all saccharides applied to said plant are co-encapsulated.

[0122] It is preferred that the encapsulate is of the core-shell type, i.e. carrier material forms a shell around the active agent (i.e. saccharide according to the invention), preferably wherein the core has a median diameter (D(v,0.5)) of 125-250 pm, preferably 150-250 pm, more preferably 165-250 pm, most preferably 165-225 pm, and wherein said encapsulate has a median diameter (D(v,0.5)) which is 20-100 pm, preferably 20-75 pm, more preferably 35-75 pm, longer than said median diameter of the core.

[0123] In the context of the present invention, the terms “D(v,0.5)”, “D50” and “volume median diameter” are interchangeably used herein and refer to the diameter of a particle where 50 % of the distribution is above and 50% is below. Several techniques are available to determine the size of a particle such as laser diffraction, dynamic light scattering, automated imaging, sedimentation, electrozone sensing and sieving. Each technique has a particle size range wherein it can be applied. In the context of the present invention, laser diffraction is preferred to assess the size of a particle and hence to determine the D(v,0.1), D(v,0.5), D(v,0.9) and D(4,3) of an encapsulate / particle as defined herein. A particularly suitable system for laser diffraction is a MasterSizer S apparatus from Malvern Instruments Ltd.

[0124] The carrier material preferably comprises a hot melt material, more preferably an oil and / or a wax, even more preferably a hydrogenated oil and / or a wax, optionally further comprising starch, preferably wherein said starch constitutes less than 15% (w / w) of said carrier material, more preferably said starch constitutes less than 10% (w / w) of said carrier material.

[0125] Said oil is preferably selected from the list consisting of palm oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, palm kernel oil, maize oil, sesame oil and cottonseed oil; more preferably said oil is selected from the list consisting of palm oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil; even more preferably said oil is palm oil, most preferably said oil is hydrogenated palm oil.

[0126] Said wax is preferably selected from the list consisting of Candelilla wax, Carnauba wax, beeswax, rice bran wax, paraffin wax, jojoba wax, microcrystalline wax and japan wax; more preferably said wax is Candelilla wax or Carnauba wax; most preferably said wax is Candelilla wax.

[0127] It is further preferred that the saccharide according to the invention or all saccharides according to the invention or all saccharides present in the encapsulate constitute 5-50% (w / w), preferably 10-40 % (w / w), more preferably 20-40% (w / w), even more preferably 20-35% (w / w), of the total weight of the encapsulate.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT

[0128] In another preferred embodiment, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid) is part of a composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention). Hence, a preferred embodiment is a method for treating a plant (preferably for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant; or preferably for protecting a plant or part of a plant from abiotic stress), wherein said method comprises:

[0129] applying a composition comprising a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0130] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0131] Preferably, said plant biostimulant (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is part of a composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0132] More preferably, said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid) and said plant biostimulant (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) are part of the same composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0133] Likewise, it is preferred that any one or more, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) (refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, in a method according to the invention is / are part of a composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention). Likewise, it is more preferred that said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid) and any one or more, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) (refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) are part of the same composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention). Likewise, it is even more preferred that said saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid) and any one or more, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) (refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) and said plant biostimulant (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) are part of the same composition (preferably wherein said composition is as according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0134] Aforementioned saccharides according to the invention are commercially available and / or the production / purification of these saccharides has been described and hence allows the skilled person to produce / obtain any of said saccharides accordingly. For example (each reference is incorporated by reference):

[0135] - 3’SL: Zhang et al, 2022, ACS Synth. Biol. 11 (8) : p. 2837-2845; Carbosynth (OS04397)

[0136] 6’SL: Guo et al, 2018, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 84(13): e00071-18; Carbosynth (OS04398) 3,6-disialyllactose: Pan et al, 2006, Carbohydr. Res. 341 (6) : p. 730-737

[0137] 6,6’-disialyllactose: Drouillard et al, 2010, Carbohydr. Res. 345(10) : p. 1394-1399January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 8,3-disialyllactose: Carbosynth (OD45739)

[0138] 3’S-3-FL: Biosynth I Cymit Quimica (3D-OSO1065)

[0139] - LST a: Carbosynth (OL03882)

[0140] - LST b: Carbosynth (OL03877)

[0141] - LST c: WO2016 / 199071 ; Carbosynth (CL06570)

[0142] - LST d: Carbosynth (OS 158776)

[0143] - 3’SLNB: Carbosynth (OS35289)

[0144] Sialyl lewis a: Carbosynth (OS00745)

[0145] Sialyl lewis x: Yu et al, 2017, Chem. Commun (Camb) 53(80) : p. 11012-11015 ; Carbosynth (OS04058)

[0146] - 3‘KDO-lactose : PCT / EP2023 / 058392

[0147] 6’KDO-lactose : Drouillard etal, 2010, Carbohydr. Res. 345(10) : p. 1394-1399

[0148] - 2’FL: Zhou et al, 2021, ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458; Lu et al, 2021 , ACS Synth. Biol. 10(5):

[0149] p. 923-938 ; W02022 / 034073; Carbosynth (OF06739)

[0150] - 3-FL: Zhou et al, 2021 ; ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458, Lu et al, 2021 , ACS Synth. Biol. 10(5):

[0151] p. 923-938 ; W02022 / 034073; Carbosynth (OF05673)

[0152] - diFL: WC2022 / 034073

[0153] - 2’FlacNAc: WO 2022 / 034075

[0154] - 3FlacNAc: WO 2022 / 034075

[0155] - diFLacNAc: WO 2022 / 034075

[0156] - 2’FLNB: WO 2022 / 034075

[0157] - 4FLNB: WO 2022 / 034075

[0158] - diFLNB: WO 2022 / 034075

[0159] LNFP I: Derya et al, 2020, J. biotech. 319 : p. 31-38 ; Carbosynth (OL05676)

[0160] - GalNAc-LNFP I : WO 2022 / 034077

[0161] - Gal-LNFP I: WO 2022 / 034077

[0162] - LNFP II: Zeuner et al, 2018, ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458

[0163] - LNFP III: Zeuner et al, 2018, ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458 ; Carbosynth (OL04212) - LNFP V: W02020 / 115671 ; Carbosynth (OL06817)

[0164] - LNDFH I: Huang et al, 2021, ACS Catal. 11(5): p. 2631-2643; Carbosynth (OL01664)

[0165] - LNDFH II: Yu et al, 2017, chem. Comm. 53(80) : p. 11012-11015 ; Huang et al, 2021, ACS Catal.

[0166] 11(5): p. 2631-2643 ; Carbosynth (OL06826)

[0167] - MFLNH III: Carbosynth (OM05898)

[0168] - DFLNH (a): Carbosynth (OD05375)

[0169] - DFLNH: Carbosynth (OD06532)

[0170] - TFLNH: Isosep (57 / 18-0010)

[0171] - LNnFP I: Elicityl (GLY033-2-90%)

[0172] - LNnFP V: Dumon et al, 2001 , Glyconj. J. 18(6) : p. 465-474

[0173] - LNnDFH: Dumon et al, 2001 , Glyconj. J. 18(6) : p. 465-474.

[0174] For the sake of clarity, a composition as described in the first aspect of the invention is preferably anJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT agrochemical composition (as further elaborated in the second aspect of the invention). A composition as described in the first aspect of the invention preferably comprises a carrier and optionally one or more formulation auxiliaries (as further elaborated in the second aspect of the invention). A composition as described in the first aspect of the invention is preferably formulated as a concentrate or as a dilute formulation (as further elaborated in the second aspect of the invention). A composition as described in the first aspect of the invention is preferably selected form the list consisting of a solution, emulsion, suspension, powder, dust, foam, paste, granule, aerosol, microencapsulation, pressing, capsule and fogging formulation (cold or warm), as further elaborated in the second aspect of the invention.

[0175] A composition as described in the first aspect of the invention is most preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0176] Sialic acid-containing saccharide

[0177] In view of the excellent results achieved, it is a particularly preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention that the invention relates to a method for treating a plant [preferably for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower); or preferably for protecting a plant or part of a plant (preferably a flower) from abiotic stress], wherein said method comprises:

[0178] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0179] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0180] Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, a saccharide which is (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, is preferred over a saccharide which is (ii) a sialic acid.

[0181] In a preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises a nine-carbon sialic acid, preferably wherein said nine-carbon sialic acid is selected from the list consisting of Neu5Ac; Neu4Ac; Neu4,5Ac2; Neu5,7Ac2; Neu5,8Ac2; Neu5,9Ac2; Neu4,5,9Ac3; Neu5,7,9Ac3; Neu5,8,9Ac3; Neu4,5,7,9Ac4; Neu5,7,8,9Ac4, Neu4,5,7,8,9Ac5 and Neu5Gc; more preferably said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (i.e. Neu5Ac). Throughout the application and claims, the term “nine-carbon sialic acid is preferably replaced with “N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)”.

[0182] In an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises an eight-carbon sialic acid, preferably wherein said eight-carbon sialic acid is ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO; i.e. 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-mannooctanoic acid, also known as 2-oxo-3-deoxy-D-mannooctonic acid, 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid, 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid or 3-deoxy-D-manno-Oct-2-ulo-Pyranosonic acid). Throughout the application and claims, the term “eight-carbon sialic acid is preferably replaced with “eight-carbon 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid”, more preferably replaced with “ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO)”.

[0183] In the context of the invention, a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention can comprise (i) one or more nine-carbon sialic acids, (ii) one or more eight-carbon sialic acids or (iii) one or more nine-carbon sialic acids and one or more eight-carbon sialic acids. It is more preferred, throughoutJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, that a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises a nine-carbon sialic acid, preferably wherein said oligosaccharide does not contain an eight-carbon sialic acid. In other words, it is more preferred, throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, that a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises one or more nine-carbon sialic acids, preferably wherein said oligosaccharide does not contain an eight-carbon sialic acid. Hence, when a list of oligosaccharides is recited herein containing both nine-carbon sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides and eight-carbon sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides, then the same list lacking the oligosaccharides that do not comprise a nine-carbon sialic acid is also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed herein.

[0184] In a more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose. The skilled person will understand that the expression “sialic acid is linked to a monosaccharide” refers to the situation wherein the sialic acid is bound to the monosaccharide through a glycosidic bond and wherein said sialic acid and monosaccharide are part of the oligosaccharide of the invention (which can comprise additional monosaccharide(s) than said sialic acid and said monosaccharide, and which can comprise additional sialic acid(s)).

[0185] As a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprising a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac) that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2, 6-linkage is most preferred, it is submitted that when a list of sialylated oligosaccharides is recited herein, then the same list lacking the oligosaccharides that do not comprise a sialic acid linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2, 6-linkage is more preferred and also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed herein.

[0186] In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

[0187] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid, is preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 6,6’-disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT) and disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT); more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3,6-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT and DS’LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT and DS’LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT and DS’LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT and DS’LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT and DS’LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, LST a, LST b, LST c and LST d; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, LST c and LST d; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL and LST c; even more preferably 6’SL or LST c; most preferably 6’SL;

[0188] optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0189] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid, is preferably 3’KDO-lactose or 6’KDO-lactose;

[0190] optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. The inventors in this regard surprisingly found that 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose are highly suitable in a method according to the invention to protect a plant or part of a plant from flooding.

[0191] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising lacto-N-biose (LNB) at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid, is preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB) and sialyl Lewis a; more preferably said sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide is 6’SLNB;

[0192] optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0193] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising lacto-N-biose (LNB) at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid, is preferably 3’-KDO-lacto-N-biose (3’KDO-LNB) or 6 -KDO-lacto-N-biose (6’KDO-LNB); more preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is 6’KDO-LNB; optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0194] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising N-acetyllactosamine (LacNac) at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid, is preferably selected from the list consisting of 3'-sialy I-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc = 3’SLN), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc = 6’SLN) and sialyl Lewis x; more preferably said sialylated oligosaccharide is 6’SLacNAc;January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0195] A sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising N-acetyllactosamine (LacNac) at its reducing end, and wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid, is preferably 3'-KDO-lactosamine (3’KDO-LacNAc) or 6'-KDO-lactosamine (6’KDO-LacNAc); more preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is 6’KDO-LacNAc;

[0196] optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha- 1.3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0197] It is noted that a KDO variant of a Neu5Ac-containing saccharide (e.g. 6’SL) can be produced (e.g. enzymatically or recombinantly) in a similar way as said Neu5Ac-containing saccharide by providing CMP-KDO instead of CMP-Neu5Ac and by using a sialyltransferase that can transfer KDO, preferably a sialyltransferase with a higher affinity for KDO than Neu5Ac, more preferably a sialyltransferase that is only able to transfer KDO instead of Neu5Ac. An alpha-2, 6-sialyltransferase from Phtobacterium sp. JT-ISH-224 can for example be used (Drouillard et al, 2010, Carbohydr. Res. 345(10) : p. 1394-1399).

[0198] In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’SLNB, 6’SLNB, 3’SLacNAc, 6’SLacNAc, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’SLNB, 6’SLNB, 3’SLacNAc, 6’SLacNAc, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’SLNB, 6’SLNB, 3’SLacNAc and 6’SLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, 3’SLacNAc and 6’SLacNAc, most preferably selected from the list consisting of 6’SL and 6’SLacNAc; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose and sialic acid, even more preferably selected from the list consisting of galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose and sialic acid, most preferably selected from the list consisting of galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and fucose. In the context of the invention, the term “sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising an oligosaccharide” refers to a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide that contains said oligosaccharide, either at the reducing end of said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide, at the non-reducing end of said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide or somewhere in between; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s). In other words, a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is the same as said oligosaccharide or has one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the reducing end of said oligosaccharide and / or one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the non-reducing end of said oligosaccharide. For example, LST c is a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide 6’SLacNAc with 2 additional monosaccharides at the reducing end, namely galactose-beta- 1.4-glucose.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT For the sake of clarity, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide as described in this even more preferred embodiment comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end. The skilled person understands that for example LST c is a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising the oligosaccharide 6’SLacNAc and comprising lactose (i.e. galactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose) at its reducing end. Another example is 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL) which comprises the oligosaccharide 3’SL and comprises lactose at its reducing end. Another example is disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT) that comprises the oligosaccharide 3’SLNB and comprises lactose at its reducing end.

[0199] For the sake of clarity, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide as described in this even more preferred embodiment comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

[0200] The terms “LacNAc” and “N-acetylglucosamine” and “galactose-beta-1 ,4-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “LNB” and “lacto-N-biose” and “galactose-beta-1 ,3-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “3’SLNB” and “3’-sialyllacto-N-biose” and “Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-galactose-beta-1 ,3-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “6’SLNB” and “6’-sialyllacto-N-biose” and “Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-galactose-beta-1 ,3-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “3’SLacNAc” and “3’-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine” and “Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-galactose-beta-1 ,4-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “6’SLacNAc” and “6’-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine” and “Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-galactose-beta-1 ,4-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein.

[0201] In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 6,6’-disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting ofJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT, DS’LNnT, 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, sialyl Lewis a, sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST c, LST d, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, LST c and 3’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL and LST c; even more preferably 6’SL or LST c; most preferably 6’SL;

[0202] optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a fucose, preferably that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, more preferably an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

[0203] In a most more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 6,6’-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’S-2’FL, 6’S-2’FL, 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’S-3-FL, 6’S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS’LNT, DSLNnT, DS’LNnT, 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, sialyl Lewis a, sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), LST c, LST d, 3’KDO-lactose and 6’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL, LST c and 3’KDO-lactose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL and LST c; even more preferably 6’SL or LST c; most preferably 6’SL.

[0204] Fucose-containinq saccharide

[0205] In view of the excellent results achieved, it is a particularly preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention that the invention relates to a method for treating a plant (preferably for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant; or preferably for protecting a plant or part of a plant from abiotic stress), wherein said method comprises:

[0206] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine; and applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0207] Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, a saccharide which is (i) a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, is preferred over a saccharide which is (ii) a sialic acid.

[0208] For the sake of clarity, the terms “fucose-containing oligosaccharide” and “fucosy lated oligosaccharide” are interchangeably used herein and refers to an oligosaccharide comprising a fucose, i.e. an oligosaccharide comprising one or more fucose residue(s).

[0209] Throughout the application and claims, it is preferred that said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention contains only one fucose, i.e. said oligosaccharide comprises one or more monosaccharides and only one of said monosaccharides is a fucose. Hence, when a list of fucose-containing oligosaccharides is recited herein, then the same list lacking the oligosaccharides that comprise more than one fucose residue is also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed herein.

[0210] In a preferred embodiment, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha-1 ,3-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. In the present context, throughout the application and claims, said monosaccharide is more preferably selected from:

[0211] fucose in alpha-1 ,2-linkage: glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or galactose, even more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose; fucose in alpha-1 ,3-linkage: glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose;

[0212] fucose in alpha-1 ,4-linkage: glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide isJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT N-acetylglucosamine.

[0213] In view of aforementioned preference of the linkage between the fucose and the monosaccharide (i.e. alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha-1 ,3-linkage, when a list of fucose-containing oligosaccharides is recited herein, then the same list lacking the oligosaccharides that do not comprise a fucose linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-linkage or alpha-1 ,3-linkage is more preferred and also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed herein.

[0214] Throughout the application and claims, a fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is preferably not diFL.

[0215] In a more preferred embodiment, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

[0216] A fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), blood group A antigen hexaose type 1 (GalNAc-LNFP I), blood group B antigen hexaose type 1 (Gal-LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH), lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), and lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH); more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, MFLNH III, DFLNH (a), DFLNH, TFLNH, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), and LNnDFH; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), and LNnDFH; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V; most preferably 3-FL or 2’FL;

[0217] optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

[0218] A fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising lacto-N-biose (LNB) at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB) and difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), more preferably is 2’FLNB or diFLNB, most preferably is 2’FLNB; optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

[0219] A fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising N-acetyllactosamine (LacNac) at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), more preferably is 3FlacNAc or diFLacNAc;

[0220] optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha- 2.3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

[0221] Throughout the present Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide”, a fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is preferably neutral, more preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention does not comprise a sialic acid.

[0222] In an even more preferred embodiment, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, 2’FLNB, 4FLNB, 2’FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc; preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, 2’FLNB, 2’FLAcNAc and 3FLacNAc; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, 2’FLAcNAc and 3FLacNAc; most preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention comprises the oligosaccharide 2’FL or 3-FL; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and fucose, even more preferably selected from the list consisting of galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and fucose; most preferably selected from the list consisting of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. In the context of the invention, the term “fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising an oligosaccharide” refers to a fucose-containing oligosaccharide that contains said oligosaccharide, either at the reducing end of said fucose-containing oligosaccharide, at the non-reducing end of said fucose-containing oligosaccharide or somewhere in between; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s). In other words, a fucose-containing oligosaccharide is the same as said oligosaccharide or has one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the reducing end of said oligosaccharide and / or one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the non-reducing end of said oligosaccharide. For example, LNFP I is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide 2’FLNB with 2 additional monosaccharides at the reducing end, namely galactose-beta- 1.4-glucose.

[0223] For the sake of clarity, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide as described in this even more preferred embodiment comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT most preferably said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end. The skilled person understands that for example LNFP I is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide 2’FLNB and comprises lactose (i.e. galactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose) at its reducing end. Another example is 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) which comprises the oligosaccharide 3-FL and comprises lactose at its reducing end.

[0224] For the sake of clarity, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide as described in this even more preferred embodiment comprises a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-, alpha-1 ,3- or alpha-1 ,4-linkage, preferably an alpha-1 ,2- or an alpha-1 ,3-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose as described earlier herein.

[0225] The terms “2’FL” and “2’-fucosyllactose” and “Fucuse-alpha-1 ,2-galactose-beta-1 ,4-glucose” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “3-FL” and “3-fucosyllactose” and “Galactose-beta-1 ,4-(fucose-alpha- I ,3-)glucose” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “2’FLNB” and “2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose” and “Fucose-alpha-1 ,2-galactose-beta-1 ,3-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “4FLNB” and “4’-fucosyllacto-N-biose” and “Fucose-alpha-1 ,4-(galactose-beta-1 ,3-)N-acetylglucoamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “2’FLacNAc” and “2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine” and “Fucose-alpha-1 ,2-galactose-beta-1 ,4-N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “3FLacNAc” and “3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine” and “Galactose-beta-1 ,4-(Fucose-alpha-1 ,3-)N-acetylglucosamine” are used interchangeably herein.

[0226] In an even more preferred embodiment, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), blood group A antigen hexaose type 1 (GalNAc-LNFP I), blood group B antigen hexaose type 1 (Gal-LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH), lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, MFLNH III, DFLNH (a), DFLNH, TFLNH, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), LNnDFH, 2’FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), LNnDFH, 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2’FLNB and diFLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc, diFLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consistingJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP V, 2’FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I and LNFP V; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V; most preferably 3-FL or 2’FL;

[0227] optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid (preferably a sialic acid as disclosed earlier herein, more preferably a Neu5Ac), that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably an alpha-2, 6-linkage; and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, most preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

[0228] In a most preferred embodiment, said fucose-containing oligosaccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), blood group A antigen hexaose type 1 (GalNAc-LNFP I), blood group B antigen hexaose type 1 (Gal-LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH), lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, MFLNH III, DFLNH (a), DFLNH, TFLNH, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), LNnDFH, 2’FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), LNnDFH, 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLNB, diFLNB, 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and diFLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2’FLNB and diFLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc, diFLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected fromJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc, 3FLacNAc and 2’FLNB; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP V, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI), 2’FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP V, 2’FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc; even more preferably selected from the list consisting 2’FL, 3-FL, LNFP I and LNFP V; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V; most preferably 3-FL or 2’FL.

[0229] It is noted in this regard, that 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V were found particularly efficacious in a method according to the invention, preferably a method for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant or a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress.

[0230] It is further noted in this regard, that LNFP-I was found particularly efficacious in a method for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant, preferably wherein said plant is soybean.

[0231] Additional saccharide

[0232] Optionally, one or more additional saccharide(s), preferably one or more additional oligosaccharide(s), more preferably one or more additional milk oligosaccharides, even more preferably one or more additional mammalian milk oligosaccharide(s), most preferably one or more additional human milk oligosaccharides; is / are applied in a method according to the invention.

[0233] When a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; refer to the Section “Saccharide”) and one or more additional saccharide(s) are applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; it is preferred that said saccharide according to the invention and any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) are applied on the same day, more preferably applied simultaneously, even more preferably applied as a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0234] It is a preferred embodiment that one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are a saccharide according to the invention (particularly referred to in the Section “Saccharide”), i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; more preferably one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are a sialic acid-containing saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly referred to in the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide”) or a fucose-containing saccharide according to the invention (i.e. a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine; particularly referred to in the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide”).

[0235] Throughout the application and claims, a “saccharide according to the invention”, i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; is preferably replaced with:

[0236] (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; or

[0237] a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT

[0238] It is an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment in this context of the invention, that one or more additional saccharide(s) is a saccharide that is an intermediate in the synthesis of a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly referred to in the Section “Saccharide”). As the skilled person understands, one or more steps are required to produce a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly referred to in the Section “Saccharide”). Each step of the reaction cascade leads to an intermediate saccharide.

[0239] Said intermediate saccharide typically lacks one or more monosaccharides compared to the saccharide according to the invention. For example, possible intermediates in the synthesis of LSTc are lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II) and Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). A possible intermediate in the synthesis of 3’SL is lactose. A possible intermediate in the synthesis of 3’KDO-lactose is lactose. For example, possible intermediates in the synthesis of LNFP V are lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II) and LNT. A possible intermediate in the synthesis of 3-FL is lactose.

[0240] Said intermediate saccharide is preferably a disaccharide or an oligosaccharide.

[0241] Depending on the saccharide according to the invention, said intermediate saccharide(s) is / are preferably selected from:

[0242] 3’SL: lactose;

[0243] 6’SL: lactose;

[0244] 6,6’-disiayllactose: lactose and 6’SL;

[0245] 8.3-disialyllactose: lactose and 3’SL;

[0246] 3’S-2’FL: lactose and 2’FL;

[0247] 6’S-2’FL: lactose and 2’FL

[0248] 3’S-3-FL: lactose and 3-FL;

[0249] 6’S-3-FL: lactose and 3-FL;

[0250] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3 and 6’SL;

[0251] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, 3’SL and 6’SL;

[0252] LST a: lactose, LN3 and LNT;

[0253] - LST b: lactose, LN3 and LNT;

[0254] LST c: lactose, LN3 and LNnT;

[0255] LST d: lactose, LN3 and LNnT;

[0256] disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT): lactose, LN3, LNT, LST a and LST b;

[0257] disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT): lactose, 6’SL, LN3, LNT and neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-Gal-beta- 1.3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc;

[0258] disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT): lactose, LN3, LNnT, 6’SL and LST c;

[0259] disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT): lactose, LN3, LNnT, 6’SL and LST d;

[0260] 3’KDO-lactose: lactose;

[0261] 6’KDO-lactose: lactose;

[0262] - 3’-KDO-lacto-N-biose (3’KDO-LNB): LNB;

[0263] - 6’-KDO-lacto-N-biose (6’KDO-LNB): LNB;January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT - 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB): LNB:

[0264] - 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB): LNB;

[0265] sialyl Lewis a: lactose and 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB);

[0266] 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc = 3’SLN): LacNAc;

[0267] 6’-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc = 6’SLN): LacNAc;

[0268] sialyl Lewis x: LacNAc and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc);

[0269] 3'-KDO-lactosamine (3’KDO-LacNAc): LacNAc;

[0270] 6’-KDO-lactosamine (6’KDO-LacNAc: LacNAc;

[0271] 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL): lactose;

[0272] difucosyllactose (diFL): lactose and 2’FL;

[0273] 6’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (6’S-3FL): lactose, 3-FL and 6’SL;

[0274] 3’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (3’S-3FL): lactose, 3-FL and 3’SL;

[0275] GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL and LN3;

[0276] Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose and 3-FL;

[0277] Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)Glc and Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc- beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, preferably lactose, 3-FL, LN3 and LNT;

[0278] Gal-alpha-1 ,3-(fuc-alpha-1 ,2-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal- beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, Gal-alpha-1 ,3-(fuc-alpha-1 ,2-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc and Gal-alpha-1 ,3- Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, preferably lactose, 3-FL and Gal-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc;

[0279] GalNAc-alpha-1 ,3-(fuc-alpha-1 ,2-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, GalNAc-alpha- 1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GalNAc-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc and GalNAc-alpha-1 ,3- Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, preferably lactose, 3-FL and GalNAc-alpha-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4- Glc;

[0280] lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V): lactose, 3-FL, LN3 and LNT;

[0281] Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNT, LNFP I and Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc, preferably lactgose, 3-FL, LN3, LNT and LNFP I;

[0282] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3- FL, 6’SL, LN3 and LNT;

[0283] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3 and LNT;

[0284] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3 and LNT;

[0285] - lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II): lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNT, LNFP II and LNFP V;

[0286] - lewis b-lewis x: lactose, 3-FL, LNT, LNFP I, LNFP II and LNFP V;

[0287] Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and LNFP VI (i.e. LNnFP V);

[0288] lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI): lactose, 3-FL, LN3 and LNnT;

[0289] - lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH): lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and LNFP VI (i.e. LNnFP V);January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 3FlacNAc: LacNAc;

[0290] diFlacNAc: LacNAc, 2’FlacNAc and 3FlacNAc;

[0291] sialyl lewis x [Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc]: LacNAc, 3FlacNAc and 3’SLacNAc;

[0292] - LNFP III: lactose, LN3 and LNnT;

[0293] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and 6’SL;

[0294] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and LST c, preferably lactose, LN3, LNnT and LST c;

[0295] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta- 1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III, LSTc and 6’SL;

[0296] Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and LST d, preferably lactose, LN3, LNnT and LST d;

[0297] Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc: lactose, LN3, LNnT, LNFP III and Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc;

[0298] Fuc-alpha1 ,2-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-Gal-beta-1 ,4-(Fuc-alpha-1 ,3-)Glc: lactose, 3-FL, LN3, LNnT, LNFP VI (i.e. LNnFP V) and LNFP III;

[0299] - MFLNH III: lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta- 1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc and GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, preferably lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc and GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc; - DFLNH (a): lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc- beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc and LNFP I, preferably lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4- Glc and LNFP I;

[0300] - DFLNH: lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta- 1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc and LNFP II, preferably lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal- beta-1 ,4-Glc and LNFP II;

[0301] - TFLNH: lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta- 1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Gal-beta-1 ,4-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(Gal-beta-1 ,3-GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LNFP I and LNFP II, preferably lactose, LN3, LNT, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, GlcNAc-beta-1 ,6-(GlcNAc-beta- 1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, LNFP I and LNFP II.

[0302] It is an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment in this context of the invention, that one or more additional saccharide(s) is a monosaccharide. Said monosaccharide is preferably selected from the list consisting of sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO, most preferably Neu5Ac), galactose, L-fucose, GIcNAc, glucose, GalNAc, xylose, mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid and gluconic acid, more preferably selected from the list consisting of sialic acid (preferably as described herein,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO, most preferably Neu5Ac), galactose, L-fucose and glucose, even more preferably selected from the list consisting of sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO, most preferably Neu5Ac), galactose and L-fucose; most preferably sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO, most preferably Neu5Ac).

[0303] It is noted in this regard, that sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO, most preferably Neu5Ac) was found particularly efficacious in a method according to the invention, preferably a method for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant or a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress.

[0304] It is a more preferred embodiment that one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are a saccharide according to the invention, i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid. Such a saccharide is particularly referred to in the Section “Saccharide” in this regard.

[0305] It is an even more preferred embodiment that one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are (i) a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; preferably is / are a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine. Such an additional saccharide is particularly referred to in the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide” in this regard.

[0306] It is an additional and / or alternative even more preferred embodiment that one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine. Such an additional saccharide is particularly referred to in the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide” in this regard.

[0307] In the context of the present invention, it is most preferred that when a saccharide according to the invention is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow in a method according to the invention, wherein said saccharide is (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid (refer to the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide” in this regard), an additional saccharide is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said additional saccharide is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine (refer to the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide” in this regard). Likewise, it is most preferred that when a saccharide according to the invention is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow in a method according to the invention, wherein said saccharide is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine (refer to the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide”), an additional saccharide is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said additional saccharide is (i) a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid (refer to the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide” in thisJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT regard).

[0308] Optionally one or more additional saccharides as described in the present Section “Additional saccharide” is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow in a method according to the invention, in particular a monosaccharide or intermediate saccharide as described herein.

[0309] The inventors surprisingly found that (i) applying a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or applying sialic acid (it is referred to the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide” in this regard), preferably applying a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine; and (ii) applying a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine (it is referred to the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide” in this regard) can act synergistically in a method according to the invention [preferably for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower); or preferably for protecting a plant or part of a plant (preferably a flower) from abiotic stress]. In this regard it is particularly preferred that said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a sialic acid linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2, 3-linkage or alpha-2, 6-linkage, most preferably alpha-2, 6-linkage (as further elaborated in the Subsection “Sialic acid-containing saccharide”); and that said fucose-containing saccharide comprises a fucose linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1 ,2-linkage or alpha-1 , 3-linkage (as further elaborated in the Subsection “Fucose-containing saccharide”).

[0310] Plant biostimulant

[0311] In an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method comprises the step of applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0312] The terms “plant biostimulant” and “plant biostimulating agent” are interchangeably used herein. A plant biostimulant is defined herein as a substance (product) that improves one or more of the following characteristics of a plant or its rhizosphere:

[0313] 1. the efficiency of nutrient use;

[0314] 2. qualitative characteristics (i.e. quality traits) of the plant;

[0315] 3. tolerance to abiotic stress; or

[0316] 4. the availability of nutrients or minerals confined in the soil or rhizosphere.

[0317] A “quality trait” of a plant as understood by the skilled person is an observable and measurable characteristic of a plant that defines the plant’s value and suitability for a consumer or specific purpose. Preferably, said quality trait is a morphological trait (e.g. length or size of a fruit, leaf, stem or root), a physiological trait (e.g. efficiency of water-use, photosynthesis rate) or a phenological trait (e.g. flowering time, fruiting period).

[0318] Said plant biostimulant may indirectly and / or directly improve any given characteristic of the aforementioned four characteristics of said plant or said rhizosphere.

[0319] Indirect improvement means:

[0320] (i) said plant or part of said plant changes (increases or decreases) the amount of at least one metabolite (e.g. a plant hormone) in response to said plant biostimulant; and / or

[0321] (ii) said plant biostimulant itself generates a metabolite (i.e. changes the amount of said metabolite)January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT when said biostimulant is an organism such as a virus, algae, bacterium or fungus,

[0322] wherein said change in the amount of said metabolite improves said given characteristic.

[0323] Direct improvement means:

[0324] (iii) said plant or part of said plant is able to itself generate said plant biostimulant, and said plant biostimulant has an effect on the metabolism of said plant which improves said given characteristic; and / or

[0325] (iv) said plant biostimulant is a substance which has a physical mode of action acting against the abiotic stress itself.

[0326] In some embodiments, said plant biostimulant indirectly improves said given characteristic via (i) and / or (ii), and / or directly improves said given characteristic via (iii). In other embodiments, said plant biostimulant directly improves said given characteristic via (iv).

[0327] A plant biostimulant, as described herein, can be present in the form of the free compound or an agrochemically active salt, solvate, or N-oxide thereof.

[0328] One or more plant biostimulants may be used in the present invention, for example two or three or more plant biostimulants may be used in the present invention as a mixture.

[0329] In a preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant stimulates (i.e. improves) the vitality (i.e. the property of being able to live, grow and / or develop) of said plant independently of the environmental conditions which it experiences. Plant development, as used herein, is the process by which a plant grows and matures. This includes the formation and differentiation of tissues and organs such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.

[0330] In a more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant stimulates (i.e. activates, preferably up-regulates or down-regulates) the nutritional processes in said plant (i.e. natural processes in the plant promoting / improving the availability, absorption or utilization of nutrients and minerals) independently of the nutrients or minerals it (said biostimulant) contains. In addition, a plant biostimulant stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independent of the nutrients or minerals (e.g. fertiliser) present in the medium (e.g. soil) in which said plant is grown. Thus, a plant biostimulant more preferably stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independent of the nutrients or minerals present in the medium in which said plant is grown and independent of the nutrients or minerals present in said biostimulant. In other words, a plant biostimulant more preferably stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independent of the nutrients or minerals available to said plant.

[0331] In an even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is a substance (product) selected from the group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an inorganic compound; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; a plant hormone; a plant growth regulator; a plant rooting agent; and an unclassified plant biostimulant; preferably a substance (product) selected from the group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof;January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; and an unclassified plant biostimulant. As a skilled person will readily understand, a plant biostimulant can be one or more of said group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an inorganic compound; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; a plant hormone; a plant growth regulator; a plant rooting agent; and an unclassified plant biostimulant; preferably one or more of said group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; and an unclassified plant biostimulant.

[0332] In an alternative even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is a substance selected from the group consisting of arginine; ascorbic acid; histidine; L-tryptophan; monopropyleneglycol; rutin; prohexadione-calcium; gibberlic acid 4,7 (GA4 / 7); 6-benzyladenine (6BA); lambda-carrageenan; humic acid; allantoin; and Priesta spp, as defined herein; preferably a substance selected from the list consisting of histidine; L-tryptophan; rutin; prohexadione-calcium; gibberlic acid 4,7 (GA4 / 7); 6-benzyladenine (6BA); lambda-carrageenan; humic acid; allantoin; and Priesta spp.

[0333] Throughout the application and claims, the term “unclassified plant biostimulant” is preferably replaced with “fosetyl (or fosetyl-AI) or monopropylene glycol”.

[0334] Throughout the application and claims, a plant biostimulant is preferably not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin; more preferably not arginine, sialicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt of citric acid e.g. sodium citrate.

[0335] Throughout the application and claims, a plant biostimulant is preferably not a fertilizer or soil.

[0336] Throughout the application and claims, a plant biostimulant is preferably not a plant hormone, a plant growth regulator, a plant rooting agent, an inorganic compound, a fertilizer, or soil.

[0337] As used herein, an extract refers to a substance obtained from a source (e.g. a virus, bacterium, fungus, yeast, alga or plant, as defined below) in greater concentration than in said source. For example, an extract may refer to a substance (e.g. a metabolite, preferably a secondary metabolite) which has been isolated from said source. Said extract or metabolite may comprise or be a protein (e.g. an enzyme, a receptor), a saccharide (e.g. carrageenan), a hormone (e.g. an adenine-type cytokinin such as zeatin, or a phenylurea-type cytokinin such as diphenylurea) or a fatty acid (e.g. pelargonic acid).

[0338] When said plant biostimulant is a humic substance, said humic substance is preferably potassium humate (i.e. a potassium salt of humic acid), sodium humate (i.e. a sodium salt of humic acid), nitro humic acid (i.e. nitrated humic acid), ammonium humic acid (i.e. an ammonium salt of humic acid), potassium fulvate (i.e. a potassium salt of fulvic acid) or a polyphenol such as a tannin. Humic acid is a component resulting from decomposition and transformation of biomass residues (e.g. in soil organic matter) which is soluble in water at neutral and alkaline pH, but insoluble at acidic pH < 2. Fulvic acid is a component resulting from decomposition and transformation of biomass residues (e.g. in soil organic matter) which is soluble in water at any pH.

[0339] When said plant biostimulant is chitin or chitosan, said chitin is preferably obtained from crustaceans, molluscs, insects or fungi, and said chitosan is preferably produced by deacetylation of chitin, wherein the degree of deacetylation is between 60% and 100%, more preferably between 70% and 95%; and theJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT molecular weight of said chitosan is preferably between 3000 and 25000 Daltons, more preferably between 3800 and 20000 Daltons.

[0340] When said plant biostimulant is a protein hydrolysate, said protein hydrolysate is preferably produced by chemical (e.g., acid or alkaline) hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis and / or thermal hydrolysis of proteins present in animal and / or plant biomass (i.e. protein hydrolysate may comprise peptides, proteins or enzymes having a shorter amino acid sequence than the proteins present in animal and / or plant biomass). Said protein hydrolysate is not an amino acid. Animal biomass preferably includes an animal epithelial, connective tissue or bodily fluid such as a product from the meat industry (including leather industry) or dairy industry, for example from cows (e.g. blood from the meat industry, a by-product from the leather industry or casein from the dairy industry), sheep (e.g. blood meal), goats, pigs (e.g. blood from the meat industry), fish (e.g. fish scales), chickens (e.g. feathers), or any combination thereof. Plant biomass preferably includes any organic material from a plant, such as a product from the forestry industry or a product from the agricultural industry, including a seed or seed product (e.g. wheat chaff, legume seeds, wet-milled corn), a vegetative product (e.g. alfalfa hay, straw, sugar cane bagasse, municipal fruit and vegetable waste), or any combination thereof.

[0341] When said plant biostimulant is an amino acid, or a salt, an ester (e.g. a methyl or ethyl ester) or an ion thereof, said amino acid is preferably an L-amino acid selected from the group consisting of: glutamic acid (e.g. said plant biostimulant is glutamate), glutamine, alanine, phenylalanine, proline, methionine, cysteine, tryptophan, histidine, arginine, lysine, and glycine. More preferably, said amino acid, or salt, ester or ion thereof, is selected from the group consisting of: tryptophan, histidine, arginine, proline, glutamine and glutamic acid, even more preferably tryptophan, histidine, proline, glutamine or glutamic acid. Said amino acid, or salt, ester (e.g. a methyl or ethyl ester) or ion thereof, may reduce stress in plants, be a precursor to a plant hormone or be a nitrogen source, and can be applied as a seed treatment and / or as a foliar application.

[0342] When said plant biostimulant is an inorganic compound±said inorganic compoundjs preferably a metal or metal salt. Said metal is preferably selected from aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se), silicon (Si), and boron (B). Said metal salt is preferably selected from a metal phosphate, phosphite (phosphonate), silicate, or carbonate salt. More preferably, said metal salt is a phosphate, phosphite, silicate, or carbonate salt of any of the aforementioned metals.

[0343] When said plant biostimulant is an antioxidant, said antioxidant is preferably ascorbic acid or glutathione, (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)). More preferably, said antioxidant is GSH or GSSG.

[0344] When said plant biostimulant is a virus, or an extract thereof, said virus is preferably selected from the Baculoviridae family (i.e. a baculovirus), the Cypovirus genus, or the Densovirinae (densovirus) subfamily. More preferably, the virus is a baculovirus selected from Cydia pomonella granulovirus or Cryptophlebia peltastica nucleopolyhedrovirus.

[0345] When said plant biostimulant is a bacterium, or an extract thereof, said bacterium is preferably a plant endophyte, more preferably a plant growth-promoting bacterium such as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) or a plant-growth-promoting phyllosphere bacterium. Even more preferably, said bacterium is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Collimonas, Ensifer, Enterococcus,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Lactococcus, Lysobacter, Microbacterium, Paenibacillus, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas, Priesta, Rhanella, Rhizobium, Saccharopolyspora, Serratia, Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces. Yet even more preferably, the bacterium is a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of: Agrobacterium radiobacter, Bacillus methylotrophicus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus popilliae, Bacillus lontimorbus, Bacillus nakamuri, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus simplex, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillusfastidiosus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (for example, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai or Bacillus thuringiensis aegyptii), Bacillus velezensis, Collimonas pratensis, Colimonas fungivorans, Ensifer adhaerens, Erwinia amylovora, Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegeans, Pseudomonas kilonensis, Pseudomonas faucium, Pseudomonas germanica, Lactococcus lactis, Entrococcus faecium, Priesta aryabhattai, Streptomyces lydicus, a Streptomyces species, Sinorhizobium meloloti, a Lysobacter species, Bacillus lichenformis, Bacillus mojavensis, Paenibacillus epiphyticus, Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Streptomyces lydicus, Pseudomonas proradix and Streptomyces griseoviridis. Most preferably, the bacterium is a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai or Bacillus thuringiensis aegyptii), Bacillus velenzis, Collimonas pratensis, Colimonas fungivorans, Ensifer adhaerens, Erwinia ammylovora, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegeans, Pseudomonas kilonensis, Pseudomonas faucium, Pseudomonas germanica, Lactococcus lactis, Entrococcus faecium, Priesta aryabhattai and Paenibacillus epiphyticus. When said plant biostimulant is an extract of a bacterium, it preferably comprises at least one secondary bacterial metabolite, and may further comprise at least one pheromone, amino acid, peptide, peptide hormone, vitamin, enzyme, RNA, mRNA, siRNA or DNA. The secondary metabolite may be a polyketide, nonribosomal peptide, ribosomal peptide, glucoside, glycoprotein, alkaloid, allantoin or glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)). Preferably, said extract of a bacterium is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin, more preferably not arginine, salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt thereof e.g. sodium citrate.

[0346] When said plant biostimulant is a fungus, or an extract thereof, said fungus is preferably a plant endophyte, more preferably a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Aerobasidium, Ampelomyces, Aschersonia, Aspergillus, Beauveria, Candida, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Cordyceps, Entomophaga, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Glomus, Hirustella, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Metarhizium, Mycorrhizae, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pichia, Pseudozyma, Purpureocillium, Saccaharomyces, Schizosaccaharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, Trichosporon, Thodosporidium, Metschnikowia and Verticillium. Even more preferably, said fungus is a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of: Aerobasidium pullulans, Ampelomyces Quisqualis, Aschersonia aleyrodis, Aspergillus flavus, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Candida oleophila, Clonostachys rosea, Coniothyrium minitans, Cordyceps fumosorosea, Entomophaga maimaiga, Hirustella thompsonii, Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pseudozyma flocculosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma gamsii, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma polysporum, Trichoderma paucisporum, Trichoderma afroharzianu, Trichoderma yunnaense, Trichoderma evansii, Trichoderma hamatum, Trichoderma atrobrunneum and Verticillium albo-atrum, LagenidiumJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT giganteum, Coniothyrium minitans, Metschnikowia fructicola, Trichoderma atroviride, Talaromyces flavus, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma virens, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium vermiculatunr, Pichia anomala, Trichoderma gamsii, Trichoderma polysporum, Trichoderma stromaticum, Verticillium albo-atrum, Chaetomium cupreum, Ampelomyces quisqualis, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Cryptococcus flavescens, Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium insidiosum. Most preferably, said fungus is a strain of a species selected from the group consisting of: Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongnniartii, Sacchoromyces cerevisiae, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma harzianum and Cladosporium cladosporoides. When said plant biostimulant is an extract of a fungus, it preferably comprises at least one secondary fungal metabolite, and may further comprise at least one pheromone, amino acid, peptide, peptide hormone, vitamin, enzyme, RNA, mRNA, siRNA or DNA. The secondary fungal metabolite may be itaconic acid, a polyketide, a nonribosomal peptide, a terpene, a terpenoid, allantoin or glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)). Preferably, the secondary fungal metabolite is at least one of salicylic acid, itaconic acid, allantoin and glutathione. More preferably, said extract of a fungus is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin, even more preferably not arginine, salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt thereof e.g. sodium citrate.

[0347] When said plant biostimulant is an alga±or an extract thereof, said alga is preferably a macroalga (seaweed) or microalga. Preferably, said macroalga is selected from the group consisting of: Ascophyllum nodosum, a Laminariales (kelp) species (for example, Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria saccharina, Laminaria digitata, a Macrocystis species or Undaria pinnatifida), Fucus spiralis, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Himanthalia elongata and a Sargassum species, and preferably said microalga is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Scenedesmus, Nannochloropsis, Haematococcus, Chlorella, Phaeodactylum, Arthrospyra, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Synechocystis, Clamydomonas, Parietochloris, Desmodesmus, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Thalassiosira, Pavlova, Navicula and Chaetocerous. Even more preferably, said alga is Ascophyllum nodosum, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) or Chlorella (e.g. Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella minutissima or Chlorella pyrenoidosa). When said plant biostimulant is an extract of an alga, it preferably comprises at least one secondary algal metabolite, and may further comprise at least one pheromone, amino acid, peptide, peptide hormone, vitamin, enzyme, RNA, mRNA, siRNA or DNA. The secondary algal metabolite may be a carrageenan (e.g. lambda-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan or kappa-carrageenan), a polysaccharide (e.g. alginate, laminarin or fucoidan), a polyketide, a terpene, a terpenoid, allantoin or glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)). Preferably, the secondary algal metabolite is at least one of lambda-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, alginate, laminarin, allantoin or glutathione. More preferably, said extract of an alga is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin, even more preferably not arginine, salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt thereof e.g. sodium citrate.

[0348] When said plant biostimulant is a plant extract, said plant extract is preferably a terrestrial plant extract (TPE) including from seeds. Said plant extract is preferably obtained (extracted) from plants which are subject to abiotic stresses. Said plant extract is preferably obtained (extracted) from guayule, yucca, quillaia, and other ornamentals. Said plant extract may comprise at least one secondary plant metabolite, polysaccharide, micronutrient (e.g. boron, chloride, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel or zinc), vitamin (preferably ascorbic acid), or any combination thereof, and may further comprise at least one pheromone, amino acid, peptide, peptide hormone, enzyme, RNA, mRNA, siRNA or DNA. The secondaryJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT plant metabolite may be a phenol (e.g. rutin), a phenolic acid, a polyphenol (e.g. a tannin), a quinone, a flavone, a flavonoid, a flavanol, a coumarin, an alkaloid, a saponin, a terpene, a terpenoid, a lipid (i.e. oil), a fatty acid, a carbohydrate, a glucosinolate, allantoin or glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)). Preferably, the secondary plant metabolite is at least one of a phenol, phenolic acid, polyphenol (e.g. a tannin), quinone, flavone, flavonoid, flavanol, coumarin, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, salicylic acid, oleic acid, pelargonic acid, allantoin and glutathione. More preferably, said plant extract is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin, even more preferably not arginine, salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt thereof e.g. sodium citrate.

[0349] When said plant biostimulant is a plant rooting agent, said plant rooting agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of: oxalic acid, sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, citric acid, disodium citrate, dipotassium citrate, tripotassium citrate, trisodium citrate, sodium naphthalene acetate, potassium naphthalene acetate, potassium indole butyrate, potassium indole acetate, malic acid, salicylic acid, potassium salicylate, sodium salicylate, sodium acetate and potassium acetate.

[0350] When said plant biostimulant is a plant growth regulator, said plant growth regulator is preferably selected from the group consisting of: an antiauxin (for example, clofibric acid or 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid); an auxin (for example, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB), tris[2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)ethyl] phosphite (2,4-DEP), dichlorprop, fenoprop, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthaleneacetamide, a-naphthaleneacetic acids, 1 -naphthol, naphthoxyacetic acid, potassium naphthenate, sodium naphthenate or 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T)); a cytokinin (for example, 6-(y,y-dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP), benzyladenine, 4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol, kinetin, zeatin, trans-zeatin or zeatin-riboside); a defoliant (for example, calcium cyanamide, dimethipin, endothal, ethephon, merphos, metoxuron, pentachlorophenol, thidiazuron or tribufos); an ethylene inhibitor (for example, aviglycine or 1-methylcyclopropene); an ethylene releaser (for example, 1 -aminocyclopropane-1 -carboxylic acid (ACC), etacelasil, ethephon or glyoxime); a gametocide (for example, fenridazon or maleic hydrazide); a gibberellin (for example, gibberellic acid (GA3, GA4 or GA7); a growth inhibitor (for example, abscisic acid, ancymidol, butralin, carbaryl, chlorphonium, chlorpropham, dikegulac, flumetralin, fluoridamid, fosamine, glyphosine, isopyrimol, jasmonic acid, maleic hydrazide, mepiquat, piproctanyl, prohydrojasmon, propham, tiaojiean, or 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid); a morphactin (for example, chlorfluren, chlorflurenol, dichlorflurenol or flurenol); a growth retardant (for example, chlormequat, daminozide, flurprimidol, mefluidide, paclobutrazol, tetcyclacis or uniconazole); a growth stimulator (for example, brassinolide, brassinolide-ethyl, 2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)triethylamine (DCPTA), forchlorfenuron, gamma-aminobutyric acid, hymexazol, prosuler, pyripropanol or triacontanol); a signaling agent (for example, Ca2+(or a compound such as CaCh which, when dissolved in water generates this cation); an inositol phospholipid (e.g. phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate); a G-protein (e.g. proteins made of Ga (GPA1), Gp (AGB1) and / or Gy (AGG1 or AGG2) subunits); a cyclic nucleotide (e.g. 3’5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), 3’5’-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), cytidine 3',5'-monophosphate (cCMP) or uridine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cUMP)); a protein kinase (e.g. a calcium-dependent protein kinase or a MAP kinase); a protein phosphatase (e.g. a phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP), a metallo-dependent protein phosphatase (PPM), a protein tyrosine (Tyr) phosphatase (PTP) or an aspartate (Asp)-dependent phosphatase); sodium glutamate; and an unclassified plant growth regulator (for example, bachmedesh,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT benzofluor, buminafos, carvone, choline, choline chloride, ciobutide, clofencet, cloxyfonac, cyanamide, cyclanilide, cycloheximide, cyprosulfamide, epocholeone, ethychlozate, ethylene, fuphenthiourea, furalane, heptopargil, holosulf, inabenfide, karetazan, lead arsenate, methasulfocarb, prohexadione (e.g. prohexadione-calcium), pydanon, sintofen, triapenthenol or trinexapac), or a salt thereof. Even more preferably said plant growth regulator is selected from the group consisting of IAA, benzyladenine, zeatin, trans-zeatin, zeatin-riboside, ethephon, ACC, GA3, GA4, GA7, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, Ca2+, a G-protein, a protein kinase, ethylene and combinations thereof. Yet more preferably, said plant growth regulator is not salicylic acid or an auxin, even more preferably not salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, citric acid or a salt thereof e.g. sodium citrate.

[0351] When said plant biostimulant is a plant hormone, said plant hormone is preferably a stress related plant hormone. Typically, when in use, said plant hormone stimulates production of defensive secondary plant metabolites in response to biotic and / or abiotic stress. More preferably, said plant hormone is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: abscisic acid, an auxin (as defined above), a brassinosteroid (e.g. brassinolide, castasterone, typhasterol, 6-deoxocastasterone (6-deoxoCS), 28-norcastasterone (28-norCS), teasterone (TE), 6a-hydroxycastasterone (6a-OH-CS), 28-nor-(22S)-22-hydroxycampestrol (28-nor-22-OHCR), (22S)-22-hydroxycampestrol (22-OHCR), 28-homobrassinolide or 24-epibrassinolide), a cytokinin (as defined above), ethylene, a gibberellin (as defined above), a jasmonate (e.g. methyl jasmonate, (+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine JA-lle), jasmonic acid, melatonin, salicylic acid, a strigolactone (e.g. (+)-strigol, (+)-strigyl acetate, (+)-orobanchol, (+)-orobanchyl acetate, (+)-5-deoxystrigol or sorgolactone), a polyamine (e.g. putrescine, spermidine or spermine), nitric acid, triacontanol, and a derivative thereof. More preferably, said plant hormone is not salicylic acid or an auxin.

[0352] When said plant biostimulant is an unclassified plant biostimulant, said unclassified plant biostimulant is preferably selected from fosetyl (or fosetyl-AI) or monopropylene glycol.

[0353] In an even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is a substance selected from the group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an antioxidant; a virus; a bacterium; a fungus (including yeast); an alga; and an unclassified plant biostimulant.

[0354] In an even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is a substance selected from the group consisting of: a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an antioxidant; a virus; a bacterium; a fungus (including yeast); and an alga.

[0355] In an even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a chitin; a chitosan; an amino acid (preferably not arginine); a phenol or a phenolic acid (preferably not salicylic acid); a polyphenol; a quinone; a flavone; a flavonoid; a flavanol; a coumarin; ascorbic acid; acetic acid; oleic acid; pelargonic acid; allantoin; glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)); monopropylene glycol; a plant growth regulator (preferably not an auxin); a metal phosphite; a bacterium which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Collimonas, Ensifer, Enterococcus, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Lactococcus, Lysobacter, Microbacterium, Paenibacillus, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas, Priesta, Rhanella, Rhizobium, Saccharopolyspora, Serratia, Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces, or an extract thereof (preferably wherein said extract is not arginine, salicylic acid or anJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT auxin); a fungus which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Aerobasidium, Ampelomyces, Aschersonia, Aspergillus, Beauveria, Candida, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Cordyceps, Entomophaga, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Glomus, Hirustella, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Metarhizium, Mycorrhizae, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pichia, Pseudozyma, Purpureocillium, Saccaharomyces, Schizosaccaharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, Trichosporon, Thodosporidium, Metschnikowia and Verticillium, or an extract thereof (preferably wherein said extract is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin); an alga which is a species selected from the group consisting of: Ascophyllum nodosum, a Laminariales (kelp) species (for example, Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria saccharina, Laminaria digitata, a Macrocystis species or Undaria pinnatifida), Fucus spiralis, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Himanthalia elongata and a Sargassum species or a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Scenedesmus, Nannochloropsis, Haematococcus, Chlorella, Phaeodactylum, Arthrospyra, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Synechocystis, Clamydomonas, Parietochloris, Desmodesmus, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Thalassiosira, Pavlova, Navicula and Chaetocerous, or an extract thereof (preferably wherein said extract is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin).

[0356] In an even more preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of tryptophan, rutin, monopropyleneglycol, gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), gibberellic acid 4 (GA4), gibberellic acid 7 (GA7), prohexadione-calcium, ethephon, benzyladenine (6-benzylaminopurine), histidine, phosphonate (e.g. potassium phosphonate), fosetyl, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis, Priesta arvabhattai, spirulina, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, ascorbic acid, allantoin, GSH (i.e. glutathione in reduced form) and GSSG (i.e. glutathione in disulfide form).

[0357] In a most preferred embodiment, a plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of tryptophan, rutin, monopropyleneglycol, histidine, phosphonate (e.g. potassium phosphonate), fosetyl, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis, Priesta arvabhattai, spirulina, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, allantoin, GSH (i.e. glutathione in reduced form) and GSSG (i.e. glutathione in disulfide form).

[0358] Alternatively, throughout the application and claims, a plant biostimulant is most preferably selected from the group consisting of arginine; ascorbic acid; histidine; L-tryptophan; monopropyleneglycol; rutin; prohexadione-calcium; gibberlic acid 4,7 (GA4 / 7); 6-benzyladenine (6BA); lambda-carrageenan; humic acid; allantoin; and Priesta spp, as defined herein; in particular selected from the list consisting of histidine; L-tryptophan; rutin; prohexadione-calcium; gibberlic acid 4,7 (GA4 / 7); 6-benzyladenine (6BA); lambda-carrageenan; humic acid; allantoin; and Priesta spp.

[0359] In some embodiments, the plant biostimulant according to the invention is a substance (product) that stimulates the nutritional processes of plants independently of the nutrients or minerals it (said biostimulant) contains, with the aim of improving at least the tolerance of said plant, or part of said plant, to abiotic stress. Such a plant biostimulant is described herein as a “plant immunity biostimulant”. In such embodiments, any improved crop quality or yield provided by treating said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow with said plant biostimulant is preferably due to said plant or part of said plant changing (increasing or decreasing) the amount of at least one metaboliteJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT (e.g. a plant hormone) in response to said plant biostimulant, wherein the change in amount of said metabolite improves at least characteristic 3 as described earlier herein (i.e. tolerance to abiotic stress). More preferably, a plant immunity biostimulant is a substance (product) that improves the tolerance of said plant, or part of said plant, to abiotic stress (i.e. which can control / elicit / induce an abiotic stress response as described earlier herein) and is selected from the group consisting of: a saccharide, as defined herein (particularly refer to the Section Saccharide herein); a humic substance, as defined herein, for example fulvic acid or a tannin; chitin or chitosan, as defined herein; a protein hydrolysate, as defined herein; an amino acid, as defined herein, for example, alanine, glutamic acid, histidine, tryptophan, proline, lysine or cysteine; an inorganic compound, as defined herein; an antioxidant, as defined herein, for example, ascorbic acid or glutathione; a bacterium, or an extract thereof, as defined herein, for example wherein said bacterium is a species of a genus selected from Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, Pseudomonas or Streptomyces, preferably where said bacterial extract is a glycoprotein, nonribosomal peptide, ribosomal peptide or glutathione, as defined herein; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof, as defined herein, for example, wherein said fungus is a species of a genus selected from Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae, Purpureocillium, Beauveria, Gliocladium, Isaria or Metarhizium, preferably where said fungal extract is salicylic acid, a peptide or an amino acid; an alga, or an extract thereof, as defined herein, preferably where said algal extract is a peptide or amino acid; a plant extract, including an oil, from a leaf or a seed, for example a phenol, a phenolic acid, a polyphenol (e.g. a tannin), a quinone, a flavone, a flavonoid, a flavanol, a coumarin, a vitamin (e.g. ascorbic acid), acetic acid, a fatty acid, salicylic acid, a peptide, enzyme or amino acid; a plant hormone, as defined herein; a plant growth regulator, as defined herein, for example a gibberellin, as defined herein; and a plant rooting agent, as defined herein.

[0360] In other embodiments, the plant immunity biostimulant is a substance (product) that stimulates the nutritional processes of plants independently of the nutrients or minerals it contains, with the aim of improving solely the tolerance of said plant, or part of said plant, to abiotic stress. In said other embodiments, any improved crop quality or yield provided by treating said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow with said plant immunity biostimulant is entirely due to said plant or part of said plant changing (increasing or decreasing) the amount of at least one metabolite (e.g. a plant hormone) in response to said plant biostimulant, wherein the change in amount of said metabolite improves solely characteristic 3 as described earlier herein (i.e. tolerance to abiotic stress).

[0361] In this context of the invention, a plant immunity biostimulant is preferably selected from the group consisting of: a saccharide, as defined herein (particularly refer to the Section Saccharide herein); a humic substance, as defined herein, for example fulvic acid or a tannin; chitin or chitosan, as defined herein; a protein hydrolysate, as defined herein; an amino acid, as defined herein, for example, alanine, glutamic acid, histidine, tryptophan, proline, lysine or cysteine; an inorganic compound, as defined herein; an antioxidant, as defined herein, for example, ascorbic acid or glutathione; a bacterium, or an extract thereof, as defined herein, for example wherein said bacterium is a species of a genus selected from Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, Pseudomonas or Streptomyces, preferably where said bacterial extract is a glycoprotein, nonribosomal peptide, ribosomal peptide or glutathione, as defined herein; aJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof, as defined herein, for example, wherein said fungus is a species of a genus selected from Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae, Purpureocillium, Beauveria, Gliocladium, Isaria or Metarhizium, preferably where said fungal extract is salicylic acid, a peptide or an amino acid; an alga, or an extract thereof, as defined herein, preferably where said algal extract is a peptide or amino acid; a plant extract, including an oil, from a leaf or a seed, for example a phenol, a phenolic acid, a polyphenol (e.g. a tannin), a quinone, a flavone, a flavonoid, a flavanol, a coumarin, a vitamin (e.g. ascorbic acid), acetic acid, a fatty acid, salicylic acid, a peptide, enzyme or amino acid; a plant hormone, as defined herein; a plant growth regulator, as defined herein, for example a gibberellin, as defined herein; and a plant rooting agent, as defined herein.

[0362] Throughout the application and claims, it is a preferred embodiment that a plant immunity biostimulant according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of: a saccharide, as defined herein (particularly refer to the Section Saccharide herein); a humic substance, as defined herein, for example fulvic acid or a tannin; chitin or chitosan, as defined herein; a protein hydrolysate, as defined herein; an amino acid, as defined herein (preferably not arginine); an antioxidant, as defined herein (preferably not ascorbic acid); a bacterium, as defined herein, for example wherein said bacterium is a species of a genus selected from Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, Pseudomonas or Streptomyces; a bacterial extract selected from a glycoprotein, nonribosomal peptide, ribosomal peptide or glutathione, as defined herein; a fungus (including yeast), as defined herein, for example, wherein said fungus is a species of a genus selected from Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae, Purpureocillium, Beauveria, Gliocladium, Isaria or Metarhizium; a fungal extract selected from a peptide or an amino acid, as defined herein (preferably not arginine); an alga, as defined herein; an algal extract selected from a peptide or amino acid, as defined herein (preferably not arginine); a plant extract, including an oil, from a leaf or a seed, for example a phenol or a phenolic acid (preferably not salicylic acid), a polyphenol, a quinone, a flavone, a flavonoid, a flavanol, a coumarin, a vitamin (preferably not ascorbic acid), acetic acid, a fatty acid, a peptide, enzyme or amino acid (preferably not arginine); and a gibberellin, as defined herein.

[0363] Throughout the application and claims, it is a more preferred embodiment, that a plant immunity biostimulant according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of: a saccharide, as defined herein (particularly refer to the Section Saccharide herein); a humic substance, as defined herein, for example fulvic acid or a tannin; chitin or chitosan, as defined herein; a protein hydrolysate, as defined herein; an amino acid, as defined herein, for example, alanine, glutamic acid, histidine, tryptophan, proline, lysine or cysteine, but not arginine; an antioxidant, as defined herein, for example, glutathione but not ascorbic acid; a bacterium which is a species of a genus selected from Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, Pseudomonas or Streptomyces; a bacterial extract selected from a glycoprotein, nonribosomal peptide, ribosomal peptide or glutathione, as defined herein; a fungus (including yeast) which is a species of a genus selected from Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae, Purpureocillium, Beauveria, Gliocladium, Isaria or Metarhizium; a fungal extract selected from a peptide or an amino acid, as defined above; an alga; an algal extract selected from a peptide or amino acid, as defined above; a plant extract, including an oil, from a leaf or a seed, for example a phenol or a phenolic acid but not salicy Icic acid, a polyphenol (e.g. a tannin), a quinone,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT a flavone, a flavonoid, a flavanol, a coumarin, a vitamin but not ascorbic acid, acetic acid, a fatty acid, a peptide, enzyme or amino acid, as defined above; and a gibberellin, as defined herein.

[0364] Application

[0365] In an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method of treating a plant, comprises:

[0366] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0367] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; and

[0368] optionally applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow;

[0369] as described earlier herein. The feature “plant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant”. The feature “saccharide” is preferably as described in the Section “Saccharide”. The feature “plant biostimulant” is preferably as described in the Section “Plant biostimulant”. The feature “additional saccharide(s)” is preferably as described in the Section “Additional saccharide”.

[0370] Throughout the application and claims, “applying a saccharide according to the invention to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow”, unless specifically stated otherwise, is preferably replaced with “applying a saccharide according to the invention to said plant, part of said plant and / or seed of said plant”.

[0371] Throughout the application and claims, “applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow”, unless specifically stated otherwise, is preferably replaced with “applying an additional saccharide to said plant, part of said plant and / or seed of said plant”.

[0372] Throughout the application and claims, “applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow”, unless specifically stated otherwise, is preferably replaced with “applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant and / or seed of said plant”.

[0373] Throughout the application and claims, “applying a plant immunity biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow”, unless specifically stated otherwise, is preferably replaced with “applying a plant immunity biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant and / or seed of said plant”.

[0374] In the context of the present invention, the term “part of a plant” refers to any part of a plant including a root, a stem, a leaf, a petiole, a flower, a fruit and a seed. Preferably, a part of a plant is an aerial part of the plant, i.e. a part that is above the soil. Hence, a part of a plant is more preferably selected from the list consisting of a seed, a leaf, a petiole, a flower, a fruit and a stem, even more preferably selected from the list consisting of a seed, a leaf, a flower and a fruit, even more preferably a seed or a leaf. For the sake of clarity, a grain is an example of a seed and is derived from grasses (e.g. wheat, oats, rice, sorghum, millet, rye, barley, corn). As the skilled person is aware, a plant can comprise a tuber which is a storage container for nutrients. For the sake of clarity, a root tuber is an example of a root, whereas a stem tuber is an exampleJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT of a stem. As it is preferred in the context of the present invention that a part of a plant is an aerial part of the plant, it is also preferred that a stem in the context of the present invention does not include a stem tuber as it is a part beneath the soil.

[0375] In the context of the present invention, the term “area” preferably refers to soil, inert substrate, pyroclastic material, synthetic organic substrate (e.g. polyurethane), organic substrate (e.g. peat, compost, moss, tree waste products like coir, wood fibre or chips, tree bark), liquid substrate (e.g. floating hydroponic system), aeroponic growing and hydroponic growing (e.g. nutrient film technique). Said inert substrate includes inorganic substrates (e.g. sand, rockwool, glass wool) and expanded minerals (e.g. perlite, vermiculite, zeolite, expanded clay). More preferably, said area refers to soil.

[0376] In the context of the present invention, the term “applying” is to be understood in its broadest sense, i.e. delivering a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention, a plant biostimulant according to the invention, an additional saccharide according to the invention) to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. Numerous ways are known to the skilled person to deliver a substance and depending on whether a substance needs to be delivered to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; the skilled person can readily select an appropriate application method as part of his common general knowledge (e.g. Gahukar, 2016, Phytoparasitica 44(3), p. 379-391).

[0377] Applying a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly referred to in the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) is preferably as described in the Subsection “Application of a saccharide or additional saccharide”.

[0378] Applying an additional saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) is preferably as described in the Subsection “Application of a saccharide or additional saccharide”.

[0379] Applying a plant biostimulant (particularly refer to the Section “Application of a plant biostimulant”) is preferably as described in the Subsection “Application of a plant biostimulant”.

[0380] Throughout the application and claims, the term “aerial application” refers to applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part or parts of a plant that are above the soil (including stem, leaf, petiole, flower, fruit and seed). Preferably, aerial application is the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a stem, a leaf, a petiole, a flower, a fruit or a seed; more preferably a stem, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a seed; even more preferably a stem, a leaf, a flower or a seed; most preferably a leaf or a seed. In case of a stem application, it is particularly preferred to apply to a tuber. Throughout the application and claims, the term “root application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a root and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a root. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a root, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a root of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a root. The term “exterior of a root” is preferably replaced with “epidermis of a root” throughout the application and claims.

[0381] Throughout the application and claims, the term “stem application” preferably refers to the application of aJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a stem and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a stem. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a stem, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a stem of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a stem.

[0382] It is further noted that stem application includes the application of a substance to a bulb (i.e. food storing organ as present in ornamental bulbous plants).

[0383] Throughout the application and claims, the term “leaf application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a leaf and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a leaf. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a leaf, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a leaf of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a leaf.

[0384] Throughout the application and claims, the term “petiole application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a petiole and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a petiole. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a petiole, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a petiole of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a petiole.

[0385] Throughout the application and claims, the term “flower application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a flower and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a flower. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a flower, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a flower of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a flower.

[0386] Throughout the application and claims, the term “fruit application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a fruit and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a fruit. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a fruit, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a fruit of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a fruit.

[0387] Throughout the application and claims, the term “seed application” preferably refers to the application of a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to the exterior of a seed and hence preferably excludes the application of said substance to the interior of a seed. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying a substance (e.g. a saccharide according to the invention) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a seed, refers to applying said substance to the exterior of a seed of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said substance to the interior of a seed.

[0388] Application of a saccharide or additional saccharide

[0389] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, that said step of applying a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly refer to theJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Section “Saccharide” in this regard) comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting; preferably is done by means of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping or injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a saccharide involves one or more application methods, preferably one or more selected from the list consisting of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). Throughout the application and claims, coating is preferably coating by spraying.

[0390] In the context of a seed application (as described later herein), coating is particularly preferred over any other application technique, in particular drenching and soaking. Hence, throughout the application and claims, it is particularly preferred that a seed application is coating, more preferably coating by spraying. By using coating (and in particular coating by spraying), one wants to make sure that the substance(s) adhere to the outside of the seeds. In this regard, one usually make use of a binder which aids herein. Further, by using coating (and in particular coating by spraying) one is able to apply the intended and correct dose to the seed, whereas this is not the case for drenching and soaking wherein one does not know how much of the dose will be absorbed by the seed. Furthermore, by using coating (and in particular coating by spraying) one also avoids the situation that seeds are in contact with a liquid for a longer period of time which inevitably starts the pre-germination process (as is the case with for example drenching and soaking). Likewise, it is a preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” in this regard) comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting; preferably is done by means of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping or injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). It is also within the scope of the invention that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide involves one or more application methods, preferably one or more selected from the list consisting of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). Throughout the application and claims, coating is preferably coating by spraying.

[0391] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said saccharide according to the invention and any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) are applied in the same way (preferably as discussed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0392] In an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application or aerial application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a saccharide involves one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, root application, aerial application and soil application, preferably oneJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT or more application (s) selected from the list consisting of seed application and root application.

[0393] Likewise, it is an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” in this regard) is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application or aerial application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide involves one or more application methods, preferably one or more selected from the list consisting of seed application, root application, aerial application and soil application, more preferably one or more selected from the list consisting of seed application and root application.

[0394] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said saccharide according to the invention and any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) are applied in the same way (preferably as discussed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0395] In a more preferred embodiment, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a saccharide according to the invention (i.e. (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) is a seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application, foliar application or stem application, most preferably a seed application or foliar application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a saccharide involves one or more applications) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application and soil application, preferably one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application and stem application, more preferably one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application and foliar application.

[0396] Likewise, it is also a more preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” in this regard) is a seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application, foliar application or stem application, most preferably a seed application or foliar application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said optional step of applying an additional saccharide involves one or more application^) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application and soil application, preferably one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application and stem application, more preferably one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application and foliar application.

[0397] In the context of the present invention, a saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) can be applied once to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; or can be applied multiple times. Applying multiple times, i.e. one after the other is preferably within a reasonably short period (i.e. few hours or days). Applying multiple times can be done on the same day, but it is preferred to apply said saccharide according to the invention on different days, preferably with at least 1 day, more preferably at least 2 days, even moreJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT preferably at least 1 week, between two consecutive applications of said saccharide according to the invention. Additionally and or alternatively, it is preferred to apply said saccharide according to the invention with < 21 days, more preferably < 16 days, even more preferably < 14 days, between two consecutive applications of said saccharide according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, the terms “consecutive” and “sequential” are used interchangeably herein.

[0398] Likewise, an additional saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” in this regard) can be applied once to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; or can be applied multiple times. Applying multiple times can be done on the same day, but it is preferred to apply said additional saccharide according to the invention on different days, preferably with at least 1 day, more preferably at least 2 days, even more preferably at least 1 week, between two consecutive applications of said additional saccharide according to the invention. Additionally and or alternatively, it is preferred to apply said additional saccharide according to the invention with < 21 days, more preferably < 16 days, even more preferably < 14 days, between two consecutive applications of said additional saccharide according to the invention.

[0399] In this context, it is particularly preferred to apply a saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) and an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” in this regard) simultaneously, preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention); either once or multiple times as disclosed earlier.

[0400] In the context of a method according to the invention, preferably in the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress, it is another preferred embodiment to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide”) before the stage of flowering or after the stage of inflorescence emergence, more preferably during the stage of inflorescence emergence or after the stage of flowering, respectively. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied before the stage of flowering, more preferably during the stage of inflorescence emergence or after the stage of flowering, respectively.

[0401] In the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress, it is another preferred embodiment to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide”) and optionally applying an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) at least 1 day, preferably at least 2 days, more preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 4 days, most preferably at least 5 days, before exposure to said abiotic stress. It is further preferred to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide”) and optionally applying an additional saccharide (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) < 8 weeks, preferably < 7 weeks, more preferably < 6 weeks, even more preferably < 5 weeks, even more preferably < 4 weeks, even more preferably < 3 weeks, most preferably < 2 weeks, before exposure to said abiotic stress. It is more preferred to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide”) and optionally applying an additional saccharideJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT (particularly refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”) 1-42 days, preferably 1-35 days, more preferably 2-35 days, even more preferably 3-35 days, even more preferably 3-28 days, even more preferably 3-21 days, even more preferably 3-21 days, even more preferably 3-14 days, even more preferably 5-14, most preferably 5-10 days, before exposure to said abiotic stress.

[0402] In the context of a method according to the invention, it is another preferred embodiment to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to in the Section “Saccharide”):

[0403] on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with (preferably as part of a composition, more preferably as part of a composition according to the second aspect of the invention); or at least one day, preferably at least two days, more preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 4 days, most preferably at least 5 days, before; and / or < 21 days, preferably < 16 days, more preferably < 14 days, before; or

[0404] at least one day, preferably at least two days, more preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 4 days, most preferably at least 5 days, before; and / or < 21 days, preferably < 16 days, more preferably < 14 days; after

[0405] applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”).

[0406] If an additional saccharide according to the invention is applied, then it is preferred that it is applied simultaneously with said saccharide according to the invention (preferably as part of a composition, more preferably as part of a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0407] It is a more preferred embodiment to apply said saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide”) :

[0408] on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with (preferably as part of a composition, more preferably as part of a composition according to the second aspect of the invention); or at least one day, preferably at least two days, more preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 4 days, most preferably at least 5 days, before; and / or < 21 days, preferably < 16 days, more preferably < 14 days, before

[0409] applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly referred to in the Section “Plant biostimulant”).

[0410] If an additional saccharide according to the invention is applied, then it is preferred that it is applied simultaneously with said saccharide according to the invention (preferably as part of a composition, more preferably as part of a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0411] In another preferred embodiment, an effective amount of said saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”) is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. The term “effective amount”, in the context of abiotic stress, refers to the amount that is required to protect from, preferably control or prevent said abiotic stress as described herein. As understood by the skilled person, the effective amount will vary depending on the abiotic stress to be controlled, plant species or variety being treated, climatic conditions, life stage of the plant, administration site (e.g. leaf vs root vs seed), among other factors. The term “effective amount”, in the context of enhancing growth and / or development of a plant or part of a plant, refers to the amount that is required to enhance the growth and / or development of a plant or part of a plant as described herein. AsJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT understood by the skilled person, the effective amount will vary depending on plant species or variety being treated, climatic conditions, life stage of the plant, administration site (e.g. leaf vs root vs seed), among other factors. An appropriate effective amount in any individual case can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g. systematic field trials, which are within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art). When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an effective amount. In the context of the present invention, wherein said method according to the invention comprises applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”), it is particularly preferred that a synergistic amount of said saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”) is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. As understood by the skilled person, “synergistic amount” of a saccharide refers to the amount of said saccharide that is capable of providing a synergistic effect. Said synergistic effect in the context of growth and / or development is an improved growth and / or development (refer to the term “enhancing growth and / or development” as elaborated earlier herein) of a plant or a part of a plant which is greater than that observed when applying the individual saccharide(s) or the individual plant biostimulant(s). Said synergistic effect in the context of abiotic stress is an improved protection, preferably an improved tolerance, of a plant against abiotic stress which is greater than that observed when applying the individual saccharide(s) or the individual plant biostimulant(s). When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in a synergistic amount. As understood by the skilled person, two substances act synergistically if their combined effect (i.e. enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant; or protection of a plant or part of a plant against abiotic stress in the context of the present invention) exceeds the individual effect of each substance. Widely used mathematical methods are available to assess whether an effect of two substances is synergistic or not. An example hereof is the Colby index. This can be determined by calculating the expected response Ecoiby arising from the combination of the two substances, assuming no interaction. Ecoiby is calculated according to the following formula:

[0412]

[0413] where Pi and P2 are the efficacies (in %) of each of the two substances alone, where by efficacy refers to the percentage of inhibition of growth of a certain fungus at a certain concentration of the fungicide. For a determination of synergism, the ratio (synergy factor, SF) between the observed (measured) experimental efficacy of the mixture Emeasured and the expected efficacy of the combination is calculated according to the following formula:

[0414] g - ELmeasured

[0415] ^Colby

[0416] When the observed experimental efficacy Emeasured resulting from said combination is greater than EcoibyJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT (i.e. SF > 1), the effect of said combination is synergic. When the observed experimental efficacy Emeasured resulting from said combination is less than Ecoiby (i.e. SF < 1), the effect of said combination is antagonistic (Colby, S.R., 1967. Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations. Weeds 15, 20e22).

[0417] In another preferred embodiment, the amount of said saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”) applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, is at least 0.10 pg, preferably at least 0.25 pg, more preferably at least 0.50 pg, even more preferably at least 1.00 pg, most preferably at least 1.50 pg. More preferably, the amount of said sialic acid-containing saccharide applied is 0.10 pg - 100.00 mg, preferably 0.10 pg - 75.00 mg, more preferably 0.10 pg - 50.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 25.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 10.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 1.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 100.00 pg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 0.25 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 0.50 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 1.00 pg - 75.00 pg, most preferably 1.00 pg - 50.00 pg. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 0.10 pg, preferably at least 0.25 pg, more preferably at least 0.50 pg, even more preferably at least 1.00 pg, most preferably at least 1.50 pg. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is 0.10 pg - 100.00 mg, preferably 0.10 pg - 75.00 mg, more preferably 0.10 pg - 50.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 25.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 10.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg -1.00 mg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 100.00 pg, even more preferably 0.10 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 0.25 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 0.50 pg - 75.00 pg, even more preferably 1.00 pg -75.00 pg, most preferably 1.00 pg - 50.00 pg.

[0418] It is more preferred that the applied amount of said saccharide according to the invention is at least 0.10 pmol, preferably at least 0.25 pmol, more preferably at least 0.50 pmol, even more preferably at least 1.00 pmol, most preferably at least 1.50 pmol. More preferably, the applied amount is 0.10 pmol - 100.00 mmol, preferably 0.10 pmol - 75.00 mmol, more preferably 0.10 pmol - 50.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 25.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 10.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 1.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 100.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 75.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.25 pmol - 75.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.50 pmol - 75.00 pmol, even more preferably 1.00 pmol - 75.00 pmol, most preferably 1.00 pmol - 50.00 pmol. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 0.10 pmol, preferably at least 0.25 pmol, more preferably at least 0.50 pmol, even more preferably at least 1.00 pmol, most preferably at least 1.50 pmol. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) applied is 0.10 pmolJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT - 100.00 mmol, preferably 0.10 pmol - 75.00 mmol, more preferably 0.10 pmol - 50.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 25.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 10.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 1.00 mmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol - 100.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.10 pmol -75.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.25 pmol - 75.00 pmol, even more preferably 0.50 pmol - 75.00 pmol, even more preferably 1.00 pmol - 75.00 pmol, most preferably 1.00 pmol - 50.00 pmol.

[0419] When said saccharide according to the invention is applied to seed, than it is particularly preferred that the applied amount is at least 1.00 mg, preferably at least 5.00 mg, more preferably at least 10.00 mg, even more preferably at least 25.00 mg, even more preferably at least 50.00 mg, even more preferably at least 75.00 mg, most preferably at least 100.00 mg, per ton of seeds. More preferably, the applied amount is 0.001 g - 100.0 g, preferably 0.010 g - 100.0 g, more preferably 0.025 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 75.0 g, even more preferably 0.075 g - 75.0 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 75.0 g, most preferably 0.100 g - 60.0 g, per ton of seeds. A “ton” is 1000 kg. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 1.00 mg, preferably at least 5.00 mg, more preferably at least 10.00 mg, even more preferably at least 25.00 mg, even more preferably at least 50.00 mg, even more preferably at least 75.00 mg, most preferably at least 100.00 mg, per ton of seeds. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is 0.001 g - 100.0 g, preferably 0.010 g - 100.0 g, more preferably 0.025 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 75.0 g, even more preferably 0.075 g - 75.0 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 75.0 g, most preferably 0.100 g - 60.0 g, per ton of seeds.

[0420] It is more preferred that the applied amount of said saccharide according to the invention is at least 1 .0 pmol, preferably at least 5.0 pmol, more preferably at least 10.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 25.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 50.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 75.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 100.0 pmol, most preferably at least 150.0 pmol, per ton of seeds. More preferably, the applied amount is 1.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, preferably 10.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, more preferably 25.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even more preferably 50.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even more preferably 75.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even more preferably 75.0 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 100.0 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 125 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 150 pmol - 125.0 mmol, most preferably 150 pmol - 100.0 mmol, per ton of seeds. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is more preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 1.0 pmol, preferably at least 5.0 pmol, more preferably at least 10.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 25.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 50.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 75.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 100.0 pmol, most preferably at least 150.0 pmol, per ton of seeds. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is 1.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, preferably 10.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, more preferably 25.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even more preferably 50.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even more preferably 75.0 pmol - 150.0 mmol, even moreJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT preferably 75.0 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 100.0 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 125 pmol - 125.0 mmol, even more preferably 150 pmol - 125.0 mmol, most preferably 150 pmol - 100.0 mmol, per ton of seeds.

[0421] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of said saccharide according to the invention applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, is at least 1.0 mg, preferably at least 5.0 mg, more preferably at least 10.0 mg, even more preferably at least 25.0 mg, even more preferably at least 50.0 mg, even more preferably at least 75.0 mg, even more preferably at least 100.0 mg, most preferably at least 250.0 mg, per hectare of said plant. More preferably, the amount of said saccharide according to the invention is 0.001 g - 1000.0 g, preferably 0.001 g - 500.0 g, more preferably 0.001 g - 250.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 50.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 - 25.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.010 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 15.0 g, most preferably 0.100- 15.0 g, per hectare of said plant. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 1.0 mg, preferably at least 5.0 mg, more preferably at least 10.0 mg, even more preferably at least 25.0 mg, even more preferably at least 50.0 mg, even more preferably at least 75.0 mg, even more preferably at least 100.0 mg, most preferably at least 250.0 mg, per hectare of said plant. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is 0.001 g - 1000.0 g, preferably 0.001 g - 500.0 g, more preferably 0.001 g - 250.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 100.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 50.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 -25.0 g, even more preferably 0.001 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.010 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 15.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 15.0 g, most preferably 0.100 - 15.0 g, per hectare of said plant.

[0422] In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of said saccharide according to the invention applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, is at least 1.0 pmol, preferably at least 5.0 pmol, more preferably at least 10.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 25.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 50.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 75.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 100.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 150.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 200.0 pmol, most preferably at least 250.0 pmol, per hectare of said plant. More preferably, the amount of said saccharide according to the invention is 0.001 mmol - 1000.0 mmol, preferably 0.001 mmol - 500.0 mmol, more preferably 0.001 mmol - 250.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 100.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 50.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 -25.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 15.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.010 mmol - 15.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 15.0 mmol, most preferably 0.050 mmol - 15.0 mmol, per hectare of said plant. When two or more different saccharides according to the invention are administered or when a saccharide according to the invention and an additional saccharide according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide accordingJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is applied in an amount of at least 1.0 pmol, preferably at least 5.0 pmol, more preferably at least 10.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 25.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 50.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 75.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 100.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 150.0 pmol, even more preferably at least 200.0 pmol, most preferably at least 250.0 pmol, per hectare of said plant. More preferably, the amount of each saccharide according to the invention (i.e. each saccharide according to the invention and each additional saccharide according to the invention) is 0.001 mmol - 1000.0 mmol, preferably 0.001 mmol - 500.0 mmol, more preferably 0.001 mmol - 250.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 100.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 50.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 - 25.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.001 mmol - 15.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.010 mmol - 15.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 15.0 mmol, most preferably 0.050 mmol - 15.0 mmol, per hectare of said plant.

[0423] Application of a plant biostimulant

[0424] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant” in this regard) comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting; preferably is done by means of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping or injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a plant biostimulant involves one or more application methods, preferably one or more selected from the list consisting of watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting (e.g. trunk injection, soil injection). In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said plant biostimulant according to the invention and said saccharide according to the invention are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention). If an additional saccharide is applied, then it is preferred that any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0425] In an additional and / or alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (i particu larly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant” in this regard) is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application or aerial application, most preferably a seed application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a plant biostimulant involves one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, root application, aerial application and soil application, preferably one or more applications) selected from the list consisting of seed application and aerial application.

[0426] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said plant biostimulant according to the invention and said saccharide according to the invention are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention). If an additional saccharide is applied, then it is preferred that any one, preferably all,January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT additional saccharide(s) are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0427] In a more preferred embodiment, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant” in this regard) is a seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application, foliar application or stem application, more preferably a seed application or foliar application, most preferably a seed application. It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a plant biostimulant involves one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application and soil application, preferably one or more applications) selected from the list consisting of seed application and foliar application.

[0428] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said biostimulant according to the invention and said saccharide according to the invention are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention). If an additional saccharide is applied, then it is preferred that any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) are applied in the same way (preferably as disclosed earlier herein), preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention).

[0429] In the context of the present invention, a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant” in this regard) can be applied once to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow; or can be applied multiple times. Applying multiple times, i.e. one after the other is preferably within a reasonably short period (i.e. few hours or days). Applying multiple times can be done on the same day, but it is preferred to apply said plant biostimulant according to the invention on different days, preferably with at least 1 day, more preferably at least 2 days, even more preferably at least 1 week, between two consecutive applications of said plant biostimulant agent according to the invention. Additionally and or alternatively, it is preferred to apply said plant biostimulant according to the invention with < 21 days, more preferably < 16 days, even more preferably < 14 days, between two consecutive applications of said plant biostimulant according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, the terms “consecutive” and “sequential” are used interchangeably herein. In this context, it is particularly preferred to apply a plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant” in this regard) and a saccharide according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Saccharide” in this regard) simultaneously, preferably as part of a composition (preferably a composition according to the second aspect of the invention); either once or multiple times as disclosed earlier.

[0430] In another preferred embodiment, especially in the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress as disclosed herein, said plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is applied at least 1 day, preferably at least 2 days, more preferably at least 3 days, even more preferably at least 4 days, most preferably at least 5 days, before exposure to said abiotic stress. It is further preferred to apply said plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) < 8 weeks, preferably < 7 weeks, more preferably < 6January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT weeks, even more preferably < 5 weeks, even more preferably < 4 weeks, even more preferably < 3 weeks, most preferably < 2 weeks, before exposure to said abiotic stress. It is more preferred to apply said plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) 1-42 days, preferably 1-35 days, more preferably 2-35 days, even more preferably 3-35 days, even more preferably 3-28 days, even more preferably 3-21 days, even more preferably 3-21 days, even more preferably 3-14 days, even more preferably 5-14, most preferably 5-10 days, before exposure to said abiotic stress.

[0431] In another preferred embodiment, preferably in the context of a method for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress as disclosed herein, said plant biostimulant according to the invention (particularly refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is applied before the stage of flowering or after the stage of inflorescence emergence, more preferably during the stage of inflorescence emergence or after the stage of flowering. When two or more different plant biostimulants are applied, it is preferred that each plant biostimulant according to the invention is applied before the stage of flowering or after the stage of inflorescence emergence, more preferably during the stage of inflorescence emergence or after the stage of flowering, respectively.

[0432] In another preferred embodiment, an effective amount of said plant biostimulant according to the invention (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. As understood by the skilled person, the effective amount will vary depending on the method of application, the crop plant, the abiotic stress to be controlled, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method of application and the time of application among other factors. When two or more different plant biostimulants according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each plant biostimulant according to the invention is applied in an effective amount.

[0433] In the context of the present invention, wherein said method according to the invention comprises applying a saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”), it is particularly preferred that a synergistic amount of said plant biostimulant according to the invention (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow. The term “synergistic amount” is as defined earlier herein.

[0434] In another preferred embodiment, said plant biostimulant according to the invention (it is referred to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) is applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, at a dose of at least 0.01 g / ha, for example 0.01 to 10 g / ha or 0.035 to 5 g / ha, preferably at least 0.1 g / ha, more preferably at least 1 g / ha.

[0435] In a more preferred embodiment, said plant biostimulant is selected from the list provided in Table 1 and is preferably applied, according to the present invention, at the corresponding preferred or more preferred dose disclosed therein. The stated amounts are doses (g / ha = grams of active substance per hectare) and hence also define the ratios in a co-formulation, a premix, a tank mix, or a sequential application of the combined active ingredients.

[0436] Table 1: Preferred dose ranges of a plant biostimulantJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT

[0437]

[0438] In the present invention, a plant biostimulant is preferably used at lower dose than would be required for the same level of plant effect by the same plant biostimulant in the absence of a saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”). In a further embodiment, when an additional plant biostimulant is used, it also is preferably used at lower dose than would be required for the same level of plant effect by the same additional plant biostimulant in the absence of a saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide”).

[0439] A composition (refer to the Section “Composition”, below) comprising a mixture of a saccharide which is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid (refer to the Section “Saccharide”), and a plant biostimulant according to the invention (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”) preferably comprise said saccharide and said plant biostimulant, respectively, in a ratio of 10,000:1 to 1 :10,000, 1000:1 to 1 :1000, 500:1 to 1 :500, 400:1 to 1 :400, 250:1 to 1 :250, 125:1 to 1 :125, 100:1 to 1 :100, 50:1 to 1 :50, 40:1 to 1 :40, 31.25:1 to 1 :31.25, 20:1January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT to 1 :20, 12:1 to 1 :12, 10:1 to 1 :10; 5:1 to 1 :5; 3:1 to 1 :3, 2.5:1 to 1 :2.5, 2:1 to 1 :2, 1 :0.625 to 0.625:1 , or 1 :0.75 to 0.75:1 by weight. All ranges between the endpoints are also encompassed within the present invention.

[0440]

[0441] In a second aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising a saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide” of the first aspect of the invention) and a plant biostimulant according to the invention (refer to the Section “Plant biostimulant”). Optionally, said composition further comprises any one or more, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) (refer to the Section “Additional saccharide” of the first aspect of the invention) if applied in a method according to the invention (refer to the first aspect of the invention).

[0442] In a preferred embodiment, said composition is an agrochemical composition, i.e. a composition that is suitable for agricultural use (i.e. composition for agricultural use), preferably industrial agriculture use (i.e. composition for industrial agriculture use).

[0443] In another preferred embodiment, said composition comprises a carrier and optionally one or more formulation auxiliaries.

[0444] Said carrier is a liquid carrier or a solid carrier.

[0445] A liquid carrier is preferably selected form the list consisting of water, toluene, xylene, petroleum ether, vegetable oils, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acid anhydrides, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2- butanone, butylene carbonate, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl esters of acetic acid, diacetone alcohol, 1 ,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p-diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abietate, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, a,a-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 ,4-dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkylpyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1 ,1 ,1 -trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, alpha-pinene, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gammabutyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropylbenzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxy-propanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n- octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octylamine acetate, oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol, propionic acid, propyl lactate, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylenesulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and alcohols of higher molecular weight, such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

[0446] A solid carrier is preferably selected from the list consisting of talc, titanium dioxide, pyrophyllite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, limestone, calcium carbonate, bentonite, calcium montmorillonite, cottonseed husks, wheat flour, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, ground walnut shells and lignin.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Said formulation auxiliaries are preferably selected from the list consisting of surfactant, oil, anti-foaming agent, preservative, viscosity regulator (e.g. thickener), binder, inorganic compound, clay and tackifier. A surfactant may be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or polymeric and can be used as emulsifier, wetting agent or suspending agent or other purposes. A suitable surfactant is well-known to the skilled person (McCutcheon’s emulsifiers & detergents, MC publishing Company, 1983). A surfactant is preferably selected from the list consisting of salts of alkyl sulfates (e.g. diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate), salts of alkylarylsulfonates (e.g. calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate), alkylphenol / alkylene oxide addition products (e.g. nonylphenol ethoxylate), alcohol / alkylene oxide addition products (e.g. tridecylalcohol ethoxylate), siloxanes, silicones, silanes, silicates, siliconates, soaps (e.g. sodium stearate), salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonates (e.g. sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate), dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts (e.g. sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate), sorbitol esters (e.g. sorbitol oleate), quaternary amines (e.g. lauryltrimethylammonium chloride), polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids (e.g. polyethylene glycol stearate), block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, salts of mono- and di-alkylphosphate esters and esters of stearate.

[0447] An oil is an organic oil (i.e. of vegetable or animal origin), a mineral oil, or an alkyl ester thereof, preferably a C1-C6 alkyl ester thereof. An oil is preferably present in a concentration of 0.01-10.0 % of the total weight of the composition. For example, the oil additive may be added to a spray tank in the desired concentration after a spray mixture has been prepared. Preferred oil additives comprise mineral oils or an oil of vegetable origin, for example rapeseed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil, emulsified vegetable oil, alkyl esters of oils of vegetable origin, for example the methyl derivatives, or an oil of animal origin, such as fish oil or beef tallow. Preferred oil additives comprise alkyl esters of C8-C22 fatty acids, especially the methyl derivatives of C12-Cis fatty acids, for example the methyl esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid (methyl laurate, methyl palmitate and methyl oleate, respectively). Many oil derivatives are known from the Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, 10th Edition, Southern Illinois University, 2010.

[0448] In another preferred embodiment, said composition is selected from the list consisting of solution, emulsion, suspension, powder, dust, foam, paste, granule, aerosol, microencapsulation, pressing, capsule and fogging formulation (cold or warm).

[0449] In the context of the present invention, throughout the application and claims, a composition is preferably a synthetic composition, i.e. a composition that does not occur as such in nature and / or wherein at least one component has been synthetically produced.

[0450] A composition according to the invention can be formulated as a concentrate (e.g. pre-mix composition or ready-mix composition suitable for dilution by the end-user) or as a dilute formulation (e.g. spray mix, spray tank or tank mix).

[0451] Preferably, a concentrate (e.g. pre-mix composition) comprises 0-99.9 % (w / w) of at least one liquid or solid carrier, and 0-35.0 % (w / w), preferably 0.1-20.0 % (w / w), of formulation auxiliaries.

[0452] Preferably a dilute formulation (e.g. a spray mix, spray tank or tank mix) for foliar or soil application comprises 80.0-99.95 % (w / w), preferably 85.0-99.9 % (w / w), of a liquid carrier, and 0-20.0 % (w / w), preferably 0.1-15.0 % (w / w), of formulation auxiliaries.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT In a composition according to the invention, it is preferred that said saccharide according to the invention (refer to the Section “Saccharide” of the first aspect of the invention) is present in a concentration of at least 0.000001 %, preferably at least 0.00001 %, more preferably at least 0.00005 %, most preferably at least 0.0001 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition. Additionally and / or alternatively, said saccharide according to the invention is present at a concentration of < 50.0 %, preferably < 40.0 %, more preferably < 30.0 %, even more preferably < 20.0 %, even more preferably < 10.0 %, even more preferably < 5.0 %, most preferably < 1.0 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition. More preferably, said saccharide according to the invention is present at a concentration of 0.000001 - 50.0 %, preferably 0.000001 - 10.0 %, more preferably 0.000001 - 5.0 %, even more preferably 0.00001 - 5.0 %, most preferably 0.00001 -1.0 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition.

[0453] Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “wt. %” and “% (w / w)” are interchangeably used and mean weight by weight. If the composition is for example a solid composition, then 1.0 wt. % means 1.0 g saccharide per 100.0 gram of the solid composition. If the composition is for example a liquid composition, then 1.0 wt. % means 1.0 g saccharide per 100.0 gram of the liquid composition.

[0454] In a composition according to the invention, it is preferred that any, preferably each, additional saccharide(s), if any (refer to the Section “Additional saccharide”), is present in a concentration of at least 0.000001 %, preferably at least 0.00001 %, more preferably at least 0.00005 %, most preferably at least 0.0001 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition. Additionally and / or alternatively, said any, preferably each, additional saccharide is present at a concentration of < 50.0 %, preferably < 40.0 %, more preferably < 30.0 %, even more preferably < 20.0 %, even more preferably < 10.0 %, even more preferably < 5.0 %, most preferably < 1.0 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition. More preferably, any, preferably each, additional saccharide is present at a concentration of 0.000001 - 50.0 %, preferably 0.000001 - 10.0 %, more preferably 0.000001 - 5.0 %, even more preferably 0.00001 - 5.0 %, most preferably 0.00001 - 1.0 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition.

[0455] In a composition according to the invention, it is preferred that any, preferably each, plant biostimulant according to the invention (as referred to in the Section “Plant biostimulant” of the first aspect of the invention) is present in a concentration of at least 0.000001 %, preferably at least 0.00001 %, more preferably at least 0.00005 %, even more preferably at least 0.0001 %, most preferably at least 0.0005 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition. Additionally and / or alternatively, said any, preferably each, plant protection agent is present at a concentration of < 50.0 %, preferably < 40.0 %, more preferably < 30.0 %, even more preferably < 20.0 %, most preferably < 10.0 %. More preferably, any, preferably each, plant protection agent is present at a concentration of 0.000001 - 50.0 %, preferably 0.00001 - 50.0 %, more preferably 0.00001 - 20.0 %, even more preferably 0.00005 - 20.0 %, even more preferably 0.0001 - 20.0 %, most preferably 0.0001 - 10.0 %, (w / w) of the total weight of the composition.

[0456] Use

[0457] In a third aspect, the invention also provides the use of a composition according to the second aspect as a plant biostimulant composition. Preferably, said use is as a flower development biostimulant.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT In a third aspect, the invention also provides the use of a composition according to the second aspect as a plant protection composition. Preferably, said use is in protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress, as defined herein. More preferably, said use is as a flower protection composition (i.e. protecting a flower from abiotic stress, as defined herein).

[0458] Specific embodiments

[0459] The present invention preferably relates to the following specific embodiments:

[0460] 1. A method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises:

[0461] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0462] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0463] 2. A method according to embodiment 1 , wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

[0464] 3. A method according to embodiment 1 , wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress.

[0465] 4. A method according to embodiment 3, wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of cold stress, osmotic stress, humidity stress, heat stress, radiation stress, nutrient starvation stress, soil toxicity stress and mechanical stress.

[0466] 5. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein said saccharide is (i) a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid.

[0467] 6. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein said saccharide is a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine.

[0468] 7. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid or an eight-carbon sialic acid.

[0469] 8. A method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 7, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end.

[0470] 9. A method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 8, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 3’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), 3'-sialyl- N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (3’KDO-lactose), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (6’KDO-lactose), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (3’KDO-LNB), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (6’KDO-LNB), 3’- ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N-acetyllactosamine (3’KDO-LacNAc) and 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N- acetyllactosamine (6’KDO-LacNAc); optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from glucose, galactose, N-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid.

[0471] 10. A method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 9, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6- disialyllactose, 6,6’-disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’-sialyl-2’-fucosyllactose (3’S-2’FL), 6’-sialy I-2’- fucosyllactose (6’S-2’FL), 3’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (3’S-3-FL), 6’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (6’S-3-FL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal- beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide a (LST a), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide b (LST b), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide c (LST c), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide d (LST d), disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N- neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO-lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO- LacNAc; optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a fucose. 11. A method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 10, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL and LST c, preferably 6’SL or LST c.

[0472] 12. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein said saccharide is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine.

[0473] 13. A method according to embodiment 12, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end.

[0474] 14. A method according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1 ,2-linkage or alpha-1 ,3-linkage.

[0475] 15. A method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLAcNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid.

[0476] 16. A method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 15, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), blood group A antigen hexaose type 1 (GalNAc-LNFP I), blood group B antigen hexaose type 1 (Gal-LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH), lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4- fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 17. A method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 16, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI), preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V.

[0477] 18. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an inorganic compound; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; a plant hormone; a plant growth regulator; a plant rooting agent; and an unclassified plant biostimulant.

[0478] 19. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a chitin; a chitosan; an amino acid; a phenol or a phenolic acid; a polyphenol; a quinone; a flavone; a flavonoid; a flavanol; a coumarin; ascorbic acid; acetic acid; salicylic acid; oleic acid; pelargonic acid; allantoin; glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)); monopropylene glycol; a plant growth regulator; a metal phosphite; a bacterium which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Collimonas, Ensifer, Enterococcus, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Lactococcus, Lysobacter, Microbacterium, Paenibacillus, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas, Priesta, Rhanella, Rhizobium, Saccharopolyspora, Serratia, Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces, or an extract thereof; a fungus which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Aerobasidium, Ampelomyces, Aschersonia, Aspergillus, Beauveria, Candida, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Cordyceps, Entomophaga, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Glomus, Hirustella, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Metarhizium, Mycorrhizae, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pichia, Pseudozyma, Purpureocillium, Saccaharomyces, Schizosaccaharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, Trichosporon, Thodosporidium, Metschnikowia and Verticillium, or an extract thereof; an alga which is a species selected from the group consisting of: Ascophyllum nodosum, a Laminariales (kelp) species (for example, Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria saccharina, Laminaria digitata, a Macrocystis species or Undaria pinnatifida), Fucus spiralis, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Himanthalia elongata and a Sargassum species or a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Scenedesmus, Nannochloropsis, Haematococcus, Chlorella, Phaeodactylum, Arthrospyra, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Synechocystis, Clamydomonas, Parietochloris, Desmodesmus, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Thalassiosira, Pavlova, Navicula and Chaetocerous, or an extract thereof. 20. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of tryptophan, rutin, monopropyleneglycol, gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), gibberellic acid 4 (GA4), gibberellic acid 7 (GA7), prohexadione-calcium, ethephon, benzyladenine (6- benzylaminopurine), histidine, arginine, phosphonate (e.g. potassium phosphonate), fosetyl, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis, Priesta arvabhattai, spirulina, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, ascorbic acid, allantoin, GSH (i.e. glutathione in reduced form) and GSSG (i.e. glutathione in disulfide form)

[0479] 21. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein said saccharide is applied:

[0480] on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with, applying said plant biostimulant; orJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT at least one day before applying said plant biostimulant; or

[0481] at least one day after applying said plant biostimulant.

[0482] 22. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 21 , wherein said saccharide is applied:

[0483] on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with, applying said plant biostimulant; or at least one day before applying said plant biostimulant.

[0484] 23. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying one or more additional saccharide(s) to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0485] 24. A method according to embodiment 23, wherein said one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are applied simultaneously with said saccharide.

[0486] 25. A composition comprising (i) a saccharide as defined in embodiment 1 or any one of embodiments 5 to 17, and (ii) a plant biostimulant, preferably as defined in any one of embodiments 18 to 20.

[0487] 26. Use of a composition according to embodiment 25 as a plant biostimulant composition.

[0488] 27. Use of a composition according to embodiment 25 as a plant protection composition.

[0489] The present invention more preferably relates to the following specific embodiments:

[0490] 1. A method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises:

[0491] applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; and

[0492] applying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

[0493] 2. A method according to embodiment 1 , wherein said plant biostimulant is a substance that stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independently of the nutrients or minerals available to said plant.

[0494] 3. A method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

[0495] 4. A method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress.

[0496] 5. A method according to embodiment 4, wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of cold stress, osmotic stress, humidity stress, heat stress, radiation stress, nutrient starvation stress, soil toxicity stress and mechanical stress.

[0497] 6. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein said saccharide is (i) a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid.

[0498] 7. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein said saccharide is a sialic acidcontaining oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine.

[0499] 8. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid or an eight-carbon sialic acid.

[0500] 9. A method according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein said sialic acid-containingJanuary 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT oligosaccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end.

[0501] 10. A method according to any one of embodiments 6 to 9, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), 3'-sialyl- N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (3’KDO-lactose), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (6’KDO-lactose), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (3’KDO-LNB), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (6’KDO-LNB), 3’- ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N-acetyllactosamine (3’KDO-LacNAc) and 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N- acetyllactosamine (6’KDO-LacNAc); optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from glucose, galactose, N- acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid.

[0502] 11. A method according to any one of embodiments 6 to 10, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6- disialyllactose, 6,6’-disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’-sialyl-2’-fucosyllactose (3’S-2’FL), 6’-sialy I-2’- fucosyllactose (6’S-2’FL), 3’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (3’S-3-FL), 6’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (6’S-3-FL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal- beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide a (LST a), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide b (LST b), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide c (LST c), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide d (LST d), disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N- neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine ...

Claims

January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT Claims1. A method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises:applying a saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, wherein said saccharide is (i) an oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid; andapplying a plant biostimulant to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said plant biostimulant is a substance that stimulates the nutritional processes in said plant independently of the nutrients or minerals available to said plant.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and / or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of cold stress, osmotic stress, humidity stress, heat stress, radiation stress, nutrient starvation stress, soil toxicity stress and mechanical stress.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said saccharide is (i) a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine, or (ii) a sialic acid.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said saccharide is a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid or an eight-carbon sialic acid.

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), 3'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (3’KDO- lactose), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lactose (6’KDO-lactose), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (3’KDO-LNB), 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-lacto-N-biose (6’KDO-LNB), 3’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N- acetyllactosamine (3’KDO-LacNAc) and 6’-ketodeoxyoctonic acid-N-acetyllactosamine (6’KDO- LacNAc); optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N- acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid.

11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’-sialyllactose (6’SL), 3,6-disialyllactose, 6,6’-disialyllactose, 8,3-disialyllactose, 3’-sialyl-2’-fucosyllactose (3’S-2’FL), 6’-sialyl-2’-fucosyllactose (6’S-2’FL), 3’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (3’S-3-FL), 6’-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose (6’S-3-FL), Neu5Ac-alpha-January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-1 ,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-1 ,4-Glc, lacto-sialy I tetrasaccharide a (LST a), lacto-sialy I tetrasaccharide b (LST b), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide c (LST c), lacto-sialyl tetrasaccharide d (LST d), disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), disialy llacto-N- tetraose analog (DS’LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog (DS’LNnT), 3’-sialyllacto-N-biose (3’SLNB), 6’-sialyllacto-N-biose (6’SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyl-N- acetyllactosamine (3’SLacNAc), 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3’KDO- lactose, 6’KDO-lactose, 3’KDO-LNB, 6’KDO-LNB, 3’KDO-LacNAc and 6’KDO-LacNAc; optionally wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a fucose.

12. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 11 , wherein said sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3’SL, 6’SL and LST c, preferably 6’SL or LST c.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said saccharide is a fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprising galactose-beta-X at its reducing end, wherein X is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1 ,2-linkage or alpha-1 ,3-linkage.

16. A method according to any one of claims 132 to 15, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3- fucosyllactose (3-FL), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLAcNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid.

17. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I), blood group A antigen hexaose type 1 (GalNAc-LNFP I), blood group B antigen hexaose type 1 (Gal-LNFP I), lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNFP II), lacto-N- fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH II), lewis b-lewis x, monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose III (MFLNH III), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (DFLNH), trifucosyllacto-N- hexaose (TFLNH), lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I), lacto-N-neofucopentaose V (LNnFPV, LNFP VI), lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH), 2’-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2’FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 2’-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2’FLacNAc), difucosyl-N- acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc) and 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FLacNAc); optionally wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide further comprises a sialic acid that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage.

18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL, diFL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI), preferably selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V.

19. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2’FL, 3-FL and LNFP V.January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT 20. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein said fucose-containing oligosaccharide is 2’FL.

21. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an inorganic compound; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; a plant hormone; a plant growth regulator; a plant rooting agent; and an unclassified plant biostimulant.

22. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an amino acid; an antioxidant; a virus, or an extract thereof; a bacterium, or an extract thereof; a fungus (including yeast), or an extract thereof; an alga, or an extract thereof; a plant extract; and an unclassified plant biostimulant.

23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said unclassified plant biostimulant is fosetyl (or fosetyl- Al) or monopropylene glycol.

24. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a humic substance; chitin or chitosan; a protein hydrolysate; an antioxidant; a virus; a bacterium; a fungus (including yeast); and an alga.

25. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of a chitin; a chitosan; an amino acid; a phenol or a phenolic acid; a polyphenol; a quinone; a flavone; a flavonoid; a flavanol; a coumarin; ascorbic acid; acetic acid; oleic acid; pelargonic acid; allantoin; glutathione (either in reduced form (GSH) or disulfide form (GSSG)); monopropylene glycol; a plant growth regulator; a metal phosphite; a bacterium which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Collimonas, Ensifer, Enterococcus, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Lactococcus, Lysobacter, Microbacterium, Paenibacillus, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas, Priesta, Rhanella, Rhizobium, Saccharopolyspora, Serratia, Sinorhizobium and Streptomyces, or an extract thereof; a fungus which is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Alternaria, Aerobasidium, Ampelomyces, Aschersonia, Aspergillus, Beauveria, Candida, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Cordyceps, Entomophaga, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Glomus, Hirustella, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Metarhizium, Mycorrhizae, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pichia, Pseudozyma, Purpureocillium, Saccaharomyces, Schizosaccaharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, Trichosporon, Thodosporidium, Metschnikowia and Verticillium, or an extract thereof; an alga which is a species selected from the group consisting of: Ascophyllum nodosum, a Laminariales (kelp) species (for example, Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria saccharina, Laminaria digitata, a Macrocystis species or Undaria pinnatifida), Fucus spiralis, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Himanthalia elongata and a Sargassum species or a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of: Scenedesmus, Nannochloropsis, Haematococcus, Chlorella, Phaeodactylum, Arthrospyra, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Synechocystis, Clamydomonas, Parietochloris, Desmodesmus, Neochloris, Dunaliella, Thalassiosira, Pavlova, Navicula and Chaetocerous, or an extract thereof.

26. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said plant biostimulant is selected from the group consisting of tryptophan, rutin, monopropyleneglycol, gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), gibberellic acid 4January 9, 2026 Globachem N.V. et al. GLB32722PCT (GA4), gibberellic acid 7 (GA7), prohexadione-calcium, ethephon, benzyladenine (6- benzylaminopurine), histidine, phosphonate (e.g. potassium phosphonate), fosetyl, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis, Priesta arvabhattai, spirulina, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma viride, ascorbic acid, allantoin, GSH (i.e. glutathione in reduced form) and GSSG (i.e. glutathione in disulfide form).

27. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein said plant biostimulant is not a fertilizer or soil.

28. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein said plant biostimulant is not arginine, salicylic acid or an auxin.

29. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein said plant biostimulant is not arginine, salicylic acid, an auxin, ascorbic acid, monopropylene glycol, citric acid or a salt of citric acid.

30. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein said saccharide is applied:on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with, applying said plant biostimulant; or at least one day before applying said plant biostimulant; orat least one day after applying said plant biostimulant.

31. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein said saccharide is applied:on the same day as, preferably simultaneous with, applying said plant biostimulant; or at least one day before applying said plant biostimulant.

32. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 31 , wherein said method further comprises a step of applying one or more additional saccharide(s) to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and / or area where it is intended that said plant will grow.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said one or more additional saccharide(s) is / are applied simultaneously with said saccharide.

34. An agrochemical composition comprising (i) a saccharide as defined in claim 1 or any one of claims 6 to 20, and (ii) a plant biostimulant, preferably as defined in any one of claims 21 to 29.

35. Use of a composition according to claim 34 as a plant biostimulant composition.

36. Use of a composition according to claim 34 as a plant protection composition.

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