WO2025087575A1

WO2025087575A1 - Method to improve a plant's growth, development and resistance to (a)biotic stress

Info

Publication number: WO2025087575A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/069982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joeri Beauprez; Annelies VERCAUTEREN; Ut VAN NGUYEN; Francis CLAES; Rutger MARTENS; Guy VAN DAELE; Liesbeth VOGELS
Original assignee: Globachem NV; Inbiose NV
Current assignee: Globachem NV; Inbiose NV
Priority date: 2023-10-25
Filing date: 2024-07-15
Publication date: 2025-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-25

Abstract

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

Description

Method to improve a plant's growth, development and resistance to (a)biotic stress

Field of the invention

Background of the invention

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.

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.

Further, plants can suffer from pests including fungi, molluscs, viruses, insects etc. These can cause damage to the plants and can induce plant disease. This can result in crop loss and contamination of agricultural products. A replete amount of chemical pesticides are nowadays available but have been critically reviewed as numerous negative health effects have been associated with chemical pesticides and high occupational, intentional or accidental exposure can result in hospitalization or death, whereas exposure occurs via skin contact, ingestion of contaminated consumables or inhalation upon which they may be metabolized, excreted, stored or accumulated in the body fat (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al., 2016, Front. Public Health 4 (148)). An ideal pesticide should not only be non-hazardous to the human health, but should also be environmentally friendly and as efficient and specific as possible for protecting a plant from a given pest. Moreover, a pesticide should ideally avoid development of a resistance in pests. There is still a need for new products that fulfil these criteria.

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

It was surprisingly found that a sialic acid can improve the growth, development and/or resistance to abiotic stress and/or biotic stress of a plant.

Hence, the first aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a plant, wherein a sialic acid 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 second aspect of the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a plant growth and/or plant development biostimulant. The third aspect of the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a plant protection agent.

Detailed description of the invention

Method of treating a plant

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant. The inventors have surprisingly found that a method according to the invention offers several advantages to the plant (compared to an untreated plant) including: (i) enhancing the growth; (ii) enhancing the development; (iii) protecting from abiotic stress and/or (iv) protecting from biotic stress as described herein; in particular protecting from abiotic stress and/or protecting from biotic stress as described herein; more particularly 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.

Throughout the application and claims, the expression "step of applying a sialic acid to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow" is preferably replaced with the expression "step of applying a sialic acid to said plant, part of said plant and/or seed of said plant".

In the context of the present invention, the term "treating" is to be understood in its broadest sense, i.e. applying a substance (i.e. a sialic-acid, optionally additional saccharide(s), in the case of the present 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).

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, 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.

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 example 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) 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 sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) 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.

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).

In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) 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 sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) involves one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application. The term "aerial application" refers to applying a substance (i.e. a sialic acid, optionally additional saccharide(s), in the case of the present 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 (i.e. a sialic acid, optionally additional saccharide(s), in the case of the present 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 said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the exterior of a root and hence preferably excludes the application of said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the interior of a root. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a root, refers to applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the exterior of a root of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) 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.

Throughout the application and claims, the term "stem application" preferably refers to the application of said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the exterior of a stem and hence preferably excludes the application of said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the interior of a stem. Likewise, it is preferred throughout the application and claims that applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to a part of a plant, wherein said part is a stem, refers to applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the exterior of a stem of said plant and hence preferably excludes applying said sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) to the interior of a stem.

In a more preferred embodiment, throughout the application and claims, said step of applying a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) 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. It is also within the scope of the invention that said step of applying a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) involves one or more application(s) selected from the list consisting of seed application, foliar application, stem application, root application and soil application. It is further noted that stem application includes the application of a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) as described herein to a bulb (i.e. food storing organ as present in ornamental bulbous plants).

In the context of a method for protecting a plant from biotic stress according to the invention (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), said step of applying a sialic acid (optionally one or more additional saccharide(s)) is most preferably a seed application.

In the context of the present invention, a sialic acid 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. Said multiple times can be done on the same day, but it is preferred to apply said sialic acid 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 sialic acid.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a sialic acid according to the invention is 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.

In the context of a method according to the invention, preferably in the context of a method for protecting a plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), more preferably in the context of a method for protecting a plant from abiotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), it is preferred to apply said sialic acid 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 and/or biotic stress, preferably abiotic stress. It is further preferred to apply said sialic acid according to the invention < 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 and/or biotic stress, preferably abiotic stress. It is more preferred to apply said sialic acid according to the invention 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 and/or biotic stress, preferably abiotic stress.

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 and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), more 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 referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), it is another preferred embodiment to apply said sialic acid according to the invention before the stage of flowering (i.e. before stage 6 of the BBCH scale), more preferably during the stage of inflorescence emergence (i.e. stage 5 of the BBCH scale). The BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemical industry) scale is a widely applied system to uniformly identify the phenological development stages of a plant (BBCH Monograph, Growth stages of mono- and dicotyle-donous plants, Julius Kuhn-lnstitut, ISBN 978-3-95547-071-5).

Throughout the application and claims, it is preferred that a method according to the invention does not comprise applying acetaminophen (or a derivate thereof). Additionally and/or alternatively, it is preferred that a method according to the invention does not comprise applying anthranilic acid (or a derivative thereof), more preferably a method according to the invention does not comprise applying an auxin.

Plant

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

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, triticale and sugar cane. More preferred examples include corn, wheat (winter and spring), rice, barley, oat, millet, rye, spelt, durum, triticale and sugar cane. 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. Preferred examples include cowpea, clover 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.

More preferably, an arable crop is a cereal crop.

A fruit-bearing plant is preferably selected from the list consisting of Abiu, Almond, Amla (Indian gooseberry), Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Bael, Ber (Indian plum), Capsicum annuum (e.g. pepper, bell pepper, sweet pepper), Carambola (starfruit), Cashew, Cherry, Citrus (clementine, lemon, lime, orange etc.), Coconut, Crab apple, Damson, Durian, Elderberry, Grapefruit, Guava, Jackfruit, Jujube, Loquat, Lychee, Mango, Medlar, Morello cherry, Mulberry, Olive, Pawpaw, Carica papaya, Asimina triloba, Peach, Nectarine, Pear, Pecan, Persimmon, Pineapple, Plum, Pomelo, Quince, Pomegranate, Rambutan, Sapodilla (chikoo), Soursop, strawberry, Sugar-apple (sharifa), Sweet chestnut, Tamarillo, Tomato, Ugli fruit, Walnut, Water Apple, coffee 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.

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, 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), Aspargus 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), Cucurbita spp. (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), Dioscorea spp. (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).

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; Fruitbearing plants such as Abiu, Almond, Amla (Indian gooseberry), Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Bael, Ber (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), Aspargus 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), Cucurbita spp. (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), Dioscorea spp. (e.g. yam), Ipomoea batatas (e.g. sweet potato) and Manihot esculenta (e.g. cassava).

In an even 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; Perennials as used herein includes Coffee; Sugar cane; Fruit-bearing plants such as Apple, Cherry, Morello cherry, Mulberry, Olive, Pear, Strawberry and Grapes; Rice, Soybean; Vicia faba (e.g. broad bean); Pisum sativum (e.g. pea, snap pea, snow pea, split pea) and Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato).

In an even more preferred embodiment, said plant is selected from the list consisting Corn; Cotton; Cereals including wheat (winter and spring), barley; Oilseed rape as used herein includes Brassica napus subsp. Napus; Perennials as used herein includes Coffee; Sugar cane; Fruit-bearing plants such as Apple, Cherry, Strawberry and Grapes; Soybean and Solanum tuberosum (e.g. potato).

In another preferred embodiment, said plant is under physiological conditions, abiotic stress or biotic stress. In the context of the present invention, the terms "physiological conditions" and "normal conditions" are interchangeably used herein and 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 terms "abiotic stress" and "biotic stress" are preferably as described in the Section "abiotic stress and/or biotic stress".

Sialic acid

In an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, said method comprises the step of applying a sialic acid to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow, preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant.

Sialic acid is a monosaccharide. 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. 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).

In a preferred embodiment, said sialic acid according to the invention 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). 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, 2^nd edition, 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, 2^nd edition, 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".

In a more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid, 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)".

In an alternative more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid is 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)". In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid according to the invention is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO), preferably N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

In another preferred embodiment, said sialic acid according to the invention has been isolated from a microbial cultivation or fermentation, cell culture, enzymatic reaction or chemical reaction. Alternatively, said sialic acid-containing saccharide of the invention has been isolated by e.g. chromatography or filtration technology from a natural source.

In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said sialic acid 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 sialic acid saccharide of the invention has been preferably 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 said sialic acid according to the invention.

Aforementioned sialic acid including nine-carbon sialic acid and eight-carbon sialic acid are commercially available and/or the production/purification of said sialic acid have been described and hence allows the skilled person to produce/obtain any of said sialic acid molecules accordingly. For example (each reference is incorporated by reference):

N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac): Biosynth (MA00746); Sigma-Aldrich (110138); Cabio Biotech;

Zhao et al, 2023, J. Agric. Food chem. 71(28): p. 10701-10709

Ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO): Biosynth (MD04048); Sigma-Aldrich (K2755); Ghalambor et al, 1966, JBC 241(13): p. 3207-3215.

Further, it is another preferred embodiment of the invention that the amount of said sialic acid applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), 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 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 p.g, 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 sialic acids according to the invention (e.g. 2 different nine-carbon sialic acids or 2 different eight-carbon sialic acids or a nine-carbon sialic acid and an eight-carbon sialic acid) are administered, it is preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid-containing saccharide 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.

It is more preferred that the applied amount of said sialic-acid 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 sialic acids according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid-containing saccharide applied 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 said sialic acid 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 sialic acids according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid-containing saccharide 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.

It is more preferred that the applied amount of said sialic-acid 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 sialic acids according to the invention are administered, it is more preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid 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.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of said sialic acid applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), 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 sialic acid 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 - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.010 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 7.5 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 5.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 2.5 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.25 g, most preferably 0.250 g - 1.25 g, per hectare of said plant. When two or more different sialic acids according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid 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 - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.010 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 7.5 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 5.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 2.5 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.25 g, most preferably 0.250 - 1.25 g, per hectare of said plant.

In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of said sialic acid applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), 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 sialic acid 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 - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.010 mmol - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 7.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 5.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.075 mmol

- 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.100 mmol - 2.0 mmol, most preferably 0.100 mmol - 1.50 mmol, per hectare of said plant. When two or more different sialic acids according to the invention are administered, it is preferred that each sialic acid 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 sialic acid is 0.001 mmol

- 10.0 mmol, preferably 0.010 mmol - 10.0 mmol, more preferably 0.025 mmol - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 7.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 5.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.075 mmol - 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.100 mmol - 2.0 mmol, most preferably 0.100 mmol - 1.50 mmol, per hectare of said plant.

In another preferred embodiment, said sialic acid according to the invention is in the form of an agronomically acceptable salt.

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.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said sialic acid according to the invention is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrier for delivery of said sialic acid. The linking of sialic acid 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 dl8:l/16:0, tl8:0-16:0, tl8:0-hl6:0, tl8:0-h22:0 and tl8:0- h24:0. These ceramide carriers are commercially available and well-known to the skilled person and are for example described in W02010/037785 which is incorporated by reference. dl8:l/16:0 is also known as C16 ceramide and N-palmitoylsphingosine and therefore interchangeable used herein. tl8:0-16:0 is also known as C16 phytoceramide and N-hexadecanoyl phytosphingosine and therefore interchangeable used herein. tl8:0-hl6:0, tl8:0-h22:0 and tl8:0-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.

In another preferred embodiment, said sialic acid and optionally any, preferably all, further sialic acid, is preferably encapsulated (i.e. forming an encapsulate). This is particularly advantageous to protect said sialic acid(s). If any further saccharide is applied to said plant (it is referred to 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.

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. said sialic acid according to the invention, optionally also additionally saccharide(s) as described in the Section "Additional saccharide"), 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.

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.

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.

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.

It is further preferred that the sialic acid or all sialic acids, optionally with all additional saccharide(s) (it is referred to the Section "Additional saccharide") 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.

Additional saccharide

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. When a sialic acid according to the invention 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant); it is preferred that said sialic acid 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 Section "Composition"). In the context of the present invention, 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. 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, l->4, or (1-4), used interchangeably herein. Each monosaccharide can be in the cyclic form (e.g. pyranose or furanose form). An oligosaccharide can contain both alpha- and beta-glycosidic bonds or can contain only beta-glycosidic bonds.

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 (Bos Taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goats (Capra aegagrus hircus), bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), horses (Eguus ferus caballus), pigs (Sus scropha), dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), 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), tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii), red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula), koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus), platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) (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 saccharide 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-pi,4-GlcNAc) or lacto-N-biose (Gal-pi,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-pi,4-GlcNAc) and 6'-SLN (Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-pi,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).

Throughout the application and claims, a "mammalian milk oligosaccharide (MMO)" is preferably a "human milk oligosaccharide (HMO)".

It is a preferred embodiment that one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are a sialic acid as described herein (it is referred to the Section "Sialic acid").

It is an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment t in this context of the invention, that one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are a fucosylated saccharide, preferably a fucosylated oligosaccharide, more preferably a fucosylated milk oligosaccharide, even more preferably a fucosylated mammalian milk oligosaccharide, most preferably a fucosylated human milk oligosaccharide. Preferably, said fucosylated (oligo)saccharide is a neutral fucosylated (oligo)saccharide, i.e. having no negative charge originating from a carboxylic acid group. A "fucosylated saccharide" refers to a saccharide that comprises a fucose, i.e. comprises one or more fucose residue(s). Preferably, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention contains only one fucose, i.e. said saccharide comprises one or more monosaccharides and only one of said monosaccharides is a fucose.

In the context of the invention, it is in fact particularly preferred that one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are a fucose-containing saccharide as described herein in view of the synergistic results achieved in a method according to the invention, particularly in a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant (it is referred to the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development") and a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress").

In this context, it is a preferred embodiment that said fucosylated saccharide 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, more preferably an alpha-1, 3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. Throughout the application and claims, said monosaccharide is more preferably selected from: 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; 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 is N-acetylglucosamine.

In the context of a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant according to the invention (it is referred to the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development"), a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1, 3-linkage is preferred over a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1, 2-linkage or alpha-1, 4-linkage; wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose. Hence, when a list of fucosylated saccharides is recited herein containing alpha-1, 3-fucosylated saccharides, alpha-1, 2-fucoyslated saccharides and alpha-1, 4- fucosylated saccharides, then the same list lacking the saccharides that do not comprise an alpha-1, 3- linked fucose is also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed in the context of a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant according to the invention.

In the context of a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress according to the invention (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1, 3-linkage is preferred over a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1, 2-linkage or alpha-1, 4- linkage; wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose. Hence, when a list of fucosylated saccharides is recited herein containing alpha-1, 3-fucosylated saccharides, alpha-1, 2-fucoyslated saccharides and alpha-1, 4-fucosylated saccharides, then the same list lacking the saccharides that do not comprise an alpha-1, 3-linked fucose is also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed in the context of a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress according to the invention.

The skilled person will understand that the expression "fucose is linked to a monosaccharide" refers to the situation wherein the fucose is bound to a monosaccharide through a glycosidic bond and wherein said fucose and monosaccharide are part of the fucosylated saccharide of the invention (which can comprise additional monosaccharide(s) than said fucose and said monosaccharide).

In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide is a disaccharide or an oligosaccharide. In a more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide is an oligosaccharide. More preferably, said 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 and including x to and including y. For example, 3-5 monosaccharides means that 3, 4 or 5 monosaccharides are present.

In a more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is a milk saccharide (preferably a mammalian milk saccharide), preferably a milk oligosaccharide, even more preferably a mammalian milk oligosaccharide, most preferably a human milk oligosaccharide.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, more preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and fucose. More preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at is reducing end, more preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

A fucosylated saccharide 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 ll)₇ 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 fa- 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, di FL, 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, di FL, 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, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI), most preferably selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI).

A fucosylated saccharide 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.

A fucosylated saccharide 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, most preferably is 3'FlacNAc.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide 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 3-FL, 2'FL and 3FLAcNAc, most preferably 3-FL or 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, 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. In the context of the invention, the term "fucosylated saccharide comprising an oligosaccharide" refers to a fucosylated saccharide that contains said oligosaccharide, either at the reducing end of said fucosylated saccharide, at the non-reducing end of said fucosylated saccharide or somewhere in between; 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. In other words, a fucosylated saccharide 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 fucosylated saccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide 2'FLNB with 2 additional monosaccharides at the reducing end, namely galactose-beta-l,4-glucose.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide 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 3-FL, 2'FL and 3FLAcNAc, most preferably 3-FL or 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, 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. Preferably, said fucosylated saccharide 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, more preferably an alpha-1, 3-linkage, and wherein said monosaccharide is preferably selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. It is also preferred that said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose. It is more preferred that said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N- acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'- fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3-fucosyl-N- acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), 2'-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2'FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH. Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, 2'FlacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Most preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, 2'FlacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI).

In this context of the present invention, a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 3-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N- acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose; is particularly advantageous in a method according to the invention, more particularly in a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant (it is referred to the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development") and a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress").

In this context of the present invention, a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 2-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or galactose, even more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose; is particularly advantageous in a method according to the invention, more particularly in a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant (it is referred to the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development") and a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "abiotic and/or biotic stress"), even more particularly in a method of protecting a plant from abiotic and/or biotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress"), even more particularly in a method of protecting a plant from abiotic stress (it is referred to the Section "Abiotic and/or biotic stress").

It is preferred that said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention has been isolated from a microbial cultivation or fermentation, cell culture, enzymatic reaction or chemical reaction. Alternatively, said fucosylated saccharide of 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. In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said fucosylated 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 fucosylated saccharide of 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 said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention.

Aforementioned fucosylated saccharides 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 fucosylated saccharides accordingly. For example (each reference is incorporated by reference):

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

923-938 ; W02022/034073; Carbosynth (OF06739)

- 3-FL: Zhou et al, 2021; ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458, Lu et al, 2021, ACS Synth. Biol. 10(5): p. 923-938 ; W02022/034073; Carbosynth (OF05673)

- diFL: W02022/034073

- 2'FlacNAc: WO 2022/034075

- 3FlacNAc: WO 2022/034075

- diFLacNAc: WO 2022/034075

- 2'FLNB: WO 2022/034075

- 4FLNB: WO 2022/034075

- diFLNB: WO 2022/034075

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

- GalNAc-LNFP I: WO 2022/034077

- Gal-LNFP I: WO 2022/034077

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

- LNFP III: Zeuner et al, 2018, ACS Synth. Biol. 10(3) : p. 447-458 ; Carbosynth (OL04212)

- LNFP V: W02020/115671; Carbosynth (OL06817)

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

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

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

- MFLNH III: Carbosynth (OM05898)

- DFLNH (a): Carbosynth (OD05375)

- DFLNH: Carbosynth (OD06532)

- TFLNH: Isosep (57/18-0010)

- LNnFP I: Elicityl (GLY033-2-90%)

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

- LNnDFH: Dumon et al, 2001, Glyconj. J. 18(6) : p. 465-474. It is an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment in this context of the invention, that one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are a non-fucosylated saccharide, preferably a non-fucosylated oligosaccharide, more preferably a non-fucosylated milk oligosaccharide, even more preferably a non- fucosylated mammalian milk oligosaccharide, most preferably a non-fucosylated human milk oligosaccharide. Preferably, said non-fucosylated (oligo)saccharide is a neutral non-fucosylated (oligo)saccharide, i.e. having no negative charge originating from a carboxylic acid group.. A "non- fucosylated" saccharide refers to a saccharide that does not comprise a fucose.

In this context, it is a preferred embodiment that said non-fucosylated saccharide is a disaccharide (preferably lactose, lacto-N-biose or N-acetyllactosamine, more preferably lactose or N- acetyllactosamine, most preferably lactose) or an oligosaccharide. In a more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide is an oligosaccharide. More preferably, said 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.

In a more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is a milk saccharide (preferably a mammalian milk saccharide), preferably a milk oligosaccharide, even more preferably a mammalian milk oligosaccharide, most preferably a human milk oligosaccharide.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said non- fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose, even more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lacto-N-triose II (LNT- II), most preferably said non-fucoyslated saccharide comprises lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) or lacto-N- neotetraose (LNnT); optionally wherein said non-fucosylated saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N- acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose and N- acetylglucosamine. More preferably, said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at is reducing end, more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end, even more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lacto-N-triose II (LNT-II) at its reducing end, most preferably said non-fucoyslated saccharide comprises lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) or lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) at its reducing end.

A non-fucosylated saccharide comprising lactose at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-Lacto-N- hexaose (pLNH), beta-(l,3)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, beta-(l,4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N- pentaose, Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4-lactose), P3' -galactosyllactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, Gal-al,4- Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3- Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal- bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc (GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc- bl,3-lactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (globo-N-tetraose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal- bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, novo-LNT (GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP I (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP II (Gal-bl,4- GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP III (Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal- bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), novo-LNO, GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), iso-LNO, novo-LNO, novo-LNnO, LND, iso-LND, GalNAc-al,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, novo-LNP I, iso-LNT, DGalLNnH, galilipentasaccharide, 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 from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para- Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), para-Lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), beta-(l,3)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, betafl, 4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4-lactose), P3' -galactosyl lactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose, globo-N-tetraose, 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, lacto-N-neodecaose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose, para-Lacto-N-hexaose, lacto-N-hexaose and lacto-N-neohexaose; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N- neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, LNnH, LNH, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH), para-Lacto-N- hexaose (pLNH); most preferably selected from the list consisting of lactose, lacto-N-triose, lacto-N- tetraose and lacto-N-neotetraose. In the context of the invention, said non-fucosylated saccharide is preferably not lactose.

A non-fucosylated saccharide comprising lacto-N-biose (LNB) at its reducing end is preferably lacto-N- biose (LNB) or diLNB (Gal-beta-1, 3-GlcNAc-beta-l,3-Gal-beta-l,3-Glc), more preferably is lacto-N-biose (LNB).

A non-fucosylated saccharide comprising N-acetyllactosamine (LacNac) at its reducing end is preferably selected from the list consisting of N-acetyllactosamine, diLacNAc (Gal-beta-1, 4-GlcNAc-beta-l, 3-Gal- beta-l,4-GlcNAc) and poly-LacNAc, more preferably N-acetyllactosamine or diLacNAc.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention comprises a saccharide selected from the list consisting of lactose, LNB, LacNAc, LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; preferably selected from the list consisting of LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. In the context of the invention, the term "non-fucosylated saccharide comprising a saccharide" refers to a non-fucosylated saccharide that contains said saccharide, either at the reducing end of said non-fucosylated saccharide, at the nonreducing end of said non-fucosylated saccharide or somewhere in between; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s) to arrive at the non-fucosylated saccharide. In other words, a non-fucosylated saccharide is the same as said saccharide or has one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the reducing end of said saccharide and/or one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the non-reducing end of said saccharide. For example, LNT I is a non-fucosylated saccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide LNT-II with 1 additional monosaccharide at the nonreducing end, namely galactose.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention comprises a saccharide selected from the list consisting of lactose, LNB, LacNAc, LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; preferably selected from the list consisting of LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. Preferably, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, even more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end, most preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises LNT-II at its reducing end.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neohexaose, para- Lacto-N-neohexaose, lacto-N-hexaose, para-Lacto-N-hexaose, beta-(l,3)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N- neopentaose, beta-(l,4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4-lactose), P3'- galactosyllactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal- bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal- bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal- bl,4-Glc (GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-lactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (globo-N-tetraose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc- bl,3-LNT, novo-LNT (GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP I (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal- bl,3-Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP II (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP III (Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), novo-LNO, GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, LNH, LNnH, iso-LNO, novo-LNO, novo-LNnO, LND, iso-LND, GalNAc-al,3-Gal- bl,4-Glc, novo-LNP I, iso-LNT, DGalLNnH, galilipentasaccharide, 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, lacto-N-neodecaose, LNB, LacNAc, diLacNAc and poly-LacNAc. More preferably, said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N- neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neohexaose, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose, lacto-N-hexaose, para-Lacto-N-hexaose, beta-(l,3)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, beta-(l,4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto- N-pentaose, Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4-lactose), P3' -galactosyllactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, Gal- al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal- bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3- Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc (GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose), Gal-bl,3- GalNAc-bl,3-lactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (globo-N-tetraose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-Gal- al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, novo-LNT (GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal- bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP I (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP II (Gal- bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP III (Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6- [Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), novo-LNO, GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, LNH, LNnH, iso-LNO, novo-LNO, novo-LNnO, LND, iso-LND, GalNAc-al,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, novo-LNP I, iso-LNT, DGalLNnH, galilipentasaccharide, 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 said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention selected from the list consisting of Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH), para-Lacto-N- neohexaose (pLNnH), lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-Lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), beta-(l,3)Galactosyl-para- Lacto-N-neopentaose, beta-(l,4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4- lactose), P3' -galactosyllactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4- Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3- Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc (GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-lactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4- Gal-bl,4-Glc (globo-N-tetraose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, Gal- bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, novo-LNT (GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP I (Gal-bl,4- GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP II (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal- bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP III (Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), novo-LNO, GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, LNH, LNnH, iso-LNO, novo-LNO, novo-LNnO, LND, iso- LND, GalNAc-al,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, novo-LNP I, iso-LNT, DGalLNnH, galilipentasaccharide, 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 said non- fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of LNT-II, LNT, LNnT, LNH, pLNH, LNnH, pLNnH, LNO, LNnO, pLNO and pLNnO. Even more preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of lacto-N-triose II (LNT-II), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N- neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-hexaose (LNH), para-lacto-N-hexaose (pLNH), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH) and para-lacto-N-neohexaose (pLNnH). Most preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of LNT-II, LNT and LNnT.

It is preferred that said non-fucosylated saccharide according to the invention has been isolated from a microbial cultivation or fermentation, cell culture, enzymatic reaction or chemical reaction. Alternatively, said non-fucosylated saccharide of 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. In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated 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 non-fucosylated saccharide of 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 said non- fucosylated saccharide according to the invention.

It is an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment in this context of the invention, that one or more additional saccharide(s) is a sialic acid-containing saccharide, preferably a sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide, more preferably a sialic-acid containing milk oligosaccharide, even more preferably a sialic acid-containing mammalian milk oligosaccharide, most preferably a sialic acid-containing human milk oligosaccharide. The terms "sialic acid-containing saccharide" and "sialylated saccharide" are interchangeably used herein and refers to a saccharide that comprises a sialic acid, i.e. a saccharide comprises one or more sialic acid residue(s).

It is a preferred embodiment that said sialic acid-containing saccharide is a monosaccharide, a disaccharide or an oligosaccharide, more preferably a disaccharide or an oligosaccharide. In a more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide is an oligosaccharide. More preferably, said 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.

In the context of the invention, a sialic acid-containing saccharide 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, throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, that a sialic acid-containing saccharide according to the invention comprises a nine-carbon sialic acid, preferably wherein said saccharide 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 saccharide according to the invention comprises one or more nine-carbon sialic acids, preferably wherein said saccharide does not contain an eight-carbon sialic acid. Hence, when a list of saccharides is recited herein containing both nine-carbon sialic acid-containing saccharides and eight-carbon sialic acid-containing saccharides, then the same list lacking the saccharides that do not comprise a nine-carbon sialic acid is also explicitly and unambiguously disclosed herein.

In a more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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, more 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, even more 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 saccharide of the invention (which can comprise additional monosaccharide(s) than said sialic acid and said monosaccharide, and which can comprise additional sialic acid(s)). Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, a sialic acid linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-2, 6-linkage in the context of the invention is preferred over a sialic acid linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-2, 3-linkage or alpha-2, 8-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid (preferably Neu5Ac), more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said sialic acidcontaining saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose. In the context of the invention, the term "sialic acid-containing saccharide comprising a lactose, LNB or LacNAc" refers to a sialic acid-containing saccharide that contains said lactose or LNB or LacNAc, either at the reducing end of said sialic acid-containing saccharide, at the non-reducing end of said sialic acid-containing saccharide or somewhere in between; optionally said lactose (or LNB or LacNAc) further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the reducing end of said lactose (or LNB or LacNAc) and/or one or more additional monosaccharide(s) at the non-reducing end of said lactose (or LNB or LacNAc). For example, 6'SL is a sialic acid-containing saccharide that comprises lactose (at the reducing end of 6'SL). More preferably, said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto- N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3- )Gal-beta-l,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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha- 2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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, Neu5Ac- alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, DSLNT, DS'LNT, DSLNnT and DS'LNnT; even more preferably selected from 6'SL, 6'S-2'FL, 6'S-3-FL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST b, LST c, DSLNT, DSLNnT, DS'LNT and DS'LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 6'SL, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6- (GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST b, LST c, DSLNT, DSLNnT, DS'LNT and DS'LNnT; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 6'SL, LST b, LST c, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal- beta-l,4-Glc, DS'LNT and DSLNnT; even more preferably 6'SL, LST c, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3- )Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, DS'LNT or DSLNnT; even more preferably 6'SL, LST c, DS'LNT or DSLNnT; even more preferably 6'SL or LST c, most preferably 6'SL. Alternatively, a sialic acid-containing saccharide 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'SL, 6'SL, LSTa, LSTb, LSTc, LSTd, DSLNT, DSLNnT, DS'LNT and DS'LNnT, more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3'SL, 6'SL, LSTa, LSTb, LSTc and LSTd, even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3'SL, 6'SL, LSTb and LSTc, most preferably 6'SL, LSTb or LSTc.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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, more preferably is 6'KDO- lactose.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 acid-containing saccharide is 6'SLNB.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 saccharide is 6'KDO-LNB.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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'- sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc = 3'SLN), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc = 6'SLN) and sialyl Lewis x; more preferably said sialylated saccharide is 6'SLacNAc.

A sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 saccharide is 6'KDO- LacNAc.

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.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 6'SL, 6'SLNB, 6'SLAcNAc, 6'KDO-lactose, 6'KDO-LNB and 6'KDO-LacNAc; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 6'SL, 6'SLNB 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 saccharide comprising an oligosaccharide" refers to a sialic acid-containing saccharide that contains said oligosaccharide, either at the reducing end of said sialic acid-containing saccharide, at the non-reducing end of said sialic acidcontaining saccharide or somewhere in between; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s). In other words, a sialic acid-containing saccharide 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, LSTc is a sialic acid-containing saccharide that comprises the oligosaccharide 6'SLacNAc with 2 additional monosaccharides at the reducing end, namely galactose- beta-l,4-glucose.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 6'SL, 6'SLNB, 6'SLAcNAc, 6'KDO-lactose, 6'KDO-LNB and 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, 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. Preferably, said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably a nine-carbon sialic acid, even 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, more 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, even more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose. It is also preferred that said sialic acid-containing saccharide according to the invention comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose. It is more preferred that said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4- Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'- sialyllactosamine (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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS'LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), 3'-sialyllacto-N-biose (3'SLNB), 6'-sialyllacto-N-biose (6'SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'- sialyllactosamine (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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog (DS'LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), 3'- sialyllacto-N-biose (3'SLNB), 6'-sialyllacto-N-biose (6'SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (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 b, LST c, 3'-sialyllacto-N-biose (3'SLNB), 6'-sialyllacto-N- biose (6'SLNB), 3'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (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 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL), LST b, LST c, 6'-sialyllacto-N-biose (6'SLNB), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc), 6'KDO-lactose, 6'KDO-LNB and 6'KDO-LacNAc.

In an even more preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc) and sialyl Lewis x; 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-l,3-)Gal-beta-

1.4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc) and sialyl Lewis x; 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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc) and sialyl Lewis x; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc) and sialyl Lewis x; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL), Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(GlcNAc-beta-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, LST a, LST b, LST c, LST d, disialyllacto-N- tetraose analog (DS'LNT), disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT), 3'-sialyllacto-N-biose (3'SLNB), 6'- sialyllacto-N-biose (6'SLNB), sialyl Lewis a, 3'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc) and sialyl Lewis x; even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL), LST b, LST c, 6'-sialyllacto-N-biose (6'SLNB) and 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc).

Aforementioned sialic acid-containing saccharides 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 sialic acid-containing saccharides accordingly. For example (each reference is incorporated by reference):

N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) : Carbosynth (MA00746)

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

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

6,6'-disialyllactose: Drouillard et al, 2010, Carbohydr. Res. 345(10) : p. 1394-1399 8,3-disialyllactose: Carbosynth (OD45739)

3'S-3-FL: Biosynth / Cymit Quimica (3D-OSO1065)

- LST a: Carbosynth (OL03882)

- LST b: Carbosynth (OL03877)

- LST c: W02016/199071; Carbosynth (OL06570)

- LST d: Carbosynth (OS158776)

- 3'SLNB: Carbosynth (OS35289)

Sialyl lewis a: Carbosynth (OS00745)

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

- 3'KDO-lactose : PCT/EP2023/058392

6'KDO-lactose : Drouillard et al, 2010, Carbohydr. Res. 345(10) : p. 1394-1399

Optionally, one or more additional saccharide(s), wherein said saccharide(s) is/are a monosaccharide(s), is/are applied in a method according to the invention. Said monosaccharide is preferably selected from the list consisting of sialic acid (preferably as described herein, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO), 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, more preferably Neu5Ac or KDO), 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), galactose and L-fucose.

In the context of a method according to the invention, it is more preferred that said one or more additional saccharide(s), if applied to a 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 a sialic acid-containing saccharide as described herein.

In the context of a method according to the invention, it is most preferred that said one or more additional saccharide(s), if applied to a 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 a fucosylated saccharide as described herein, in particular a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 2-linkage or alpha-1, 3-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

Further, it is another preferred embodiment that the amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) as described herein applied to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), 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 any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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. It is more preferred that the applied amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 said additional saccharide(s) according to the invention is/are applied to seed, than it is particularly preferred that the applied amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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. It is more preferred that the applied amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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.

In a more preferred embodiment, the amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.010 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 10.0 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 7.5 g, even more preferably 0.025 g - 5.0 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 2.5 g, even more preferably 0.050 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.5 g, even more preferably 0.100 g - 1.25 g, most preferably 0.250 g - 1.25 g, per hectare of said plant.

In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 any, preferably each, of said additional saccharide(s) 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 - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.010 mmol - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 10.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 7.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.025 mmol - 5.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.5 mmol, even more preferably 0.050 mmol - 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.075 mmol

- 2.0 mmol, even more preferably 0.100 mmol - 2.0 mmol, most preferably 0.100 mmol - 1.50 mmol, per hectare of said plant. In another preferred embodiment, any one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) is/are in the form of an agronomically acceptable salt.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said fucosylated saccharide, and optionally any, preferably all, further fucosylated saccharides, is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrier for delivery of said fucosylated saccharide(s). In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said non-fucosylated saccharide, and optionally any, preferably all, further non-fucosylated saccharides, is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrier for delivery of said non-fucosylated saccharide(s). In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said sialic acid-containing saccharide, and optionally any, preferably all, further sialic-acid containing saccharides, is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrierfor delivery of said sialic acid-containing saccharide(s). In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, said additional saccharide, and optionally any, preferably all, further additional saccharides, is linked, preferably chemically linked, to a carrier for delivery of said additional saccharide(s). 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 dl8:l/16:0, tl8:0-16:0, tl8:0-hl6:0, tl8:0- h22:0 and tl8:0-h24:0. These ceramide carriers are commercially available and well-known to the skilled person and are for example described in W02010/037785 which is incorporated by reference. dl8:l/16:0 is also known as C16 ceramide and N-palmitoylsphingosine and therefore interchangeable used herein. tl8:0-16:0 is also known as C16 phytoceramide and N-hexadecanoyl phytosphingosine and therefore interchangeable used herein. tl8:0-hl6:0, tl8:0-h22:0 and tl8:0-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. Composition

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sialic acid according to the invention (it is referred to the Section "Sialic acid") is part of a composition. Hence, a preferred method is a method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a composition to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), wherein said composition comprises a sialic acid (it is referred to the Section "Sialic acid").

In an additional and/or alternative preferred embodiment, any one or more, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) (it is referred 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), in a method according to the invention is/are part of a composition.

In the context of the present invention, each saccharide according to the invention that 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant), in a method according to the invention, is preferably part of the same composition.

In a more preferred embodiment, said composition further comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of emulsifier, solvent, surfactant, carrier, dispersant, thickener, hydrophobizing agent, moisture-retaining agent, extender, solid carrier, foam former, antifreeze and anti-foaming agent.

In an additional and/or alternative more 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).

It is further preferred that said composition according to the invention is an agrochemical composition, i.e. a composition that is suitable for agricultural use (composition for agricultural use), preferably industrial agriculture use (composition for industrial agriculture use).

It is further preferred that said composition is 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.

In a composition according to the invention, it is preferred that said sialic acid according to the invention (it is referred to the Section "Sialic acid") 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 sialic acid 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 sialic acid 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.

Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "wt. %" and "% (VJ/VJ)" 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.

In a composition according to the invention, it is preferred that any, preferably all, additional saccharide(s), if any (it is referred to the Section "Additional saccharide"), is/are 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 all, additional saccharide(s) is/are 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 one, preferably all, additional saccharide(s) is/are 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.

Throughout the application and claims, it is preferred that a composition according to the invention does not comprise acetaminophen (or a derivate thereof). Additionally and/or alternatively, it is preferred that a composition according to the invention does not comprise anthranilic acid (or a derivative thereof), more preferably a composition according to the invention does not comprise an auxin.

Enhancing growth and/or development

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, said method of the invention is a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant or a part of said plant (preferably a flower or a fruit), wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). Preferably, said plant is under physiological conditions, abiotic stress or biotic stress. 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 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 sialic acid (optionally any further saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide") according to the invention.

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). A method according to the invention is particularly efficacious in improving flower development.

Plant yield refers to the biomass of a 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 root number, root mass, root volume, leaf area, shoot length, shoot mass, fruit number and fruit mass; all of which can be readily assessed by the skilled person using routine techniques. Alternatively, said plant yield preferably refers to the fresh weight or dry weight of the whole plant, 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 sialic acid and optionally further saccharide(s) according to the invention) is preferably an increase in shoot length or weight (dry weight or fresh weight, preferably fresh weight) of the plant or weight (dry weight or fresh weight, preferably fresh weight) of the canopy, preferably an increase in shoot length, of at least 1.0%, preferably at least 2.5%, more preferably at least 5.0%, most preferably at least 7.5%.

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.

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.

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. The mass (i.e. weight), throughout the application and claims, can be fresh weight or dry weight, preferably fresh weight.

Said "method", "plant", "applying", "sialic acid", "part of a plant" and "area" are as described earlier herein (it is referred to the Sections "Method of treating a plant", "Plant", "Sialic acid", "Additional saccharide" and "Composition").

In a more preferred embodiment said sialic acid is as disclosed in the Section "Sialic acid".

As elaborated in the Section "Additional saccharide", 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. Said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a sialylated saccharide (i.e. sialic acidcontaining saccharide) as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a non-fucosylated saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a fucosylated saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a monosaccharide saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide".

In the context of enhancing growth and/or development, it is particularly preferred that one or more additional saccharide(s) is a fucosylated saccharide (it is referred to the Section "Additional saccharide"). In a more preferred embodiment, said one or more additional saccharide(s) is a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 2-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or galactose, even more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

Preferably, said fucosylated saccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from 2'FL, 2'FLNB and 2'FLacNAc; 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.

It is further preferred that said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N- acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and fucose. More preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end. More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 2'-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2'FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lewis b-lewis x, difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH) and lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I). More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNDFH I and LNnFP I. Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I and LNnFP I. Most preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, LNFP I and LNnFP I.

In an additional and/or alternative more preferred embodiment, said one or more additional saccharide(s) is a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 3-linkage; preferably preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose, more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose or N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably said monosaccharide is glucose.

Preferably, said fucosylated saccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from 3-FL and 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, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and fucose.

It is further preferred that said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N- acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucoyslated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucoyslated saccharide comprises lactose. More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucoyslated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucoyslated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP V), 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 V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), and lacto-N-neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH). Even More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, diFL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH II, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH. Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, diFL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP III, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, diFL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Most preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, 3FlacNAc, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI).

In another preferred embodiment, an effective amount of said sialic acid 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). The term "effective amount" refers to the amount that is required to obtain an improvement in one or more properties or parameters of plant growth and/or plant development as compared to a control plant. As understood by the skilled person, the effective amount will vary depending on the plant species or variety being treated, presence or absence of stress such as abiotic and/or biotic stress, the desired result, the 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. If one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are applied in a method according to the invention, it is preferred that any one, preferably all, additional saccharide is applied in an effective amount. In the context of the invention wherein at least one additional saccharide is applied to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant) in a method for enhancing the growth and/or development of said plant; it is particularly preferred that each sialic acid and each additional saccharide (preferably in the context wherein one or more of the additional saccharides is/are a fucosylated saccharide) are applied in a synergistic amount. 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 this context of the invention is an enhancement of the growth and/or development of a plant which is greater than the enhancement of growth and/or development observed when applying the individual saccharides.

In an additional and/or preferred embodiment, a non-phytotoxic amount of said sialic acid 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). If one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are applied in a method according to the invention, it is preferred that any one, preferably all, additional saccharide is applied in a non-phytotoxic amount. For the sake of clarity, the term "non-phytotoxic" applies to the plant that is treated, i.e. the applied saccharide(s) is/are not toxic (or at least has, according to the field, an acceptable level of toxicity) for the treated plant.

In a more preferred embodiment, the amount of said sialic acid and, if present, the amount of any, preferably all, additional saccharide is as described in the Sections "Sialic acid saccharide" and "Additional saccharide".

Abiotic and/or biotic stress

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, said method of the invention is a method for protecting a plant or a part of said plant (preferably a flower or a fruit) from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid-containing saccharide to said plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). A result of said method for protecting a plant is that said plant tolerates abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. 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 and/or biotic stress, preferably 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 and/or biotic stress, preferably abiotic stress.

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 stress 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).

In the context of the present invention (i.e. abiotic stress, biotic stress or abiotic stress and biotic stress), throughout the application and claims, the term "protecting" is preferably replaced with the expression "controlling, preventing or treating", more preferably replaced with the expression "preventing or treating". In the context of abiotic stress, the term "protecting" is more preferably replaced with the term "preventing". As understood by the skilled person, the term "controlling" preferably refers to reducing the extent/severity of abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; eliminating said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; and/or preventing damage or further damage inflicted from said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. The term "treating" in this context of the invention preferably means inhibiting said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress, i.e. arresting the development of said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; relieving said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress, i.e. causing regression of said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; and/or relieving a condition caused by or resulting from said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress, i.e. relieving, preventing or treating symptoms of said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. In other words, "treating" preferably refers to decreasing the duration (number of days/weeks/moths the plant will suffer from said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress), the risks, the complications and/or the severity of said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; this also encompasses the relief of the symptoms caused by said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. The term "preventing" preferably refers to avoiding that said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress occurs and/or decreasing the incidence of said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. In other words, "preventing" preferably refers to ameliorating the risk of suffering from said abiotic stress and/or biotic stress. Throughout the application and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "preventing" can be preferably replaced with the term "priming", 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 and/or biotic stress.

Said "method", "plant", "applying", "sialic acid saccharide", "part of a plant" and "area" are as described earlier herein (it is referred to the Sections "Method of treating a plant", "Plant", "Sialic acid", "Additional saccharide" and "Composition").

In a more preferred embodiment, said abiotic stress is selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress, light stress (preferably UV stress) and mechanical stress; preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress and light stress (preferably UV stress); more preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding) and light stress (preferably UV stress); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt) and humidity (preferably flooding); most preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought and humidity (preferably flooding). It is also within the scope of the invention that said abiotic stress is one or more of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress, light stress (preferably UV stress) and mechanical stress; preferably one or more of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress and light stress (preferably UV stress); more preferably one or more of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding) and light stress (preferably UV stress); even more preferably one or more of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt) and humidity (preferably flooding); most preferably one or more of frost, drought and humidity (preferably flooding).

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 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" 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.

In another more preferred embodiment, said biotic stress comprises, preferably consists of, a phytopathogen, i.e. an organism that is pathogenic to a plant. Said phytopathogen preferably causes direct damage and/or a disease in said plant, more preferably a disease in said plant. Hence, said biotic stress preferably comprises (preferably consists of) a phytopathogen or a disease caused by said phytopathogen, more preferably comprises (preferably consists of) a disease caused by said phytopathogen. Preferably, said phytopathogen is selected from the list consisting of a fungus, a bacterium, a virus, a nematode, a mollusc and an insect. More preferably, said phytopathogen is selected from the list consisting of a fungus, a bacterium, a virus, a nematode and an insect. Even more preferably, said phytopathogen is selected from the list consisting of a fungus, a bacterium and a virus. Even more preferably, said phytopathogen is a fungus or a bacterium. Most preferably, said phytopathogen is a fungus.

Said phytopathogenic fungus is preferably selected from the list consisting of Albugo, Alternaria, Aphanomyces, Ascochyta, Aspergillus, Blumeria, Botrytis, Bremia, Ceratocystsc, Cercospora, Cladiosporium, Cladosporium, Claviceps, Cochliobolus, Colletotrichum, Corticium, Cycloconium, Diaporthe, Elsinoe, Eutypa, Exobasidium, Fomitiporia, Fusarium, Gaeumannomyces, Ganoderma, Gibberella, Gloeosporium, Glomerella, Guignardia, Gymnosporangium, Helminthospohum, Helminthosporium, Hemileia, Leptosphaeria, Macrophomina, Magnaporthe, Mildew, Monilinia, Monographella, Mycosphaerella, Nectria, Oomycete, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phaemoniella, Phaeoacremonium, Phaeosphaera, Phakopsora, Phoma, Phomopsis, Phytophthora, Plamodiophora Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Pseudoperonospora, Puccinia, Pyrenopeziza, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Ramularia, Rhizoctonia, Rhizoctonia, Rhizopus, Rhynchosporium, Sarocladium,Sclerotinia, Sclerotium, Septoria, Sphacelotheca, Tapesia, Taphrina, Thielavbpsis, Tilletia, Typhula, Uncinula, Urocystis, Uromyces, Ustilago, Venturia and Verticilium. Said phytopathogenic fungus is more preferably selected from the list consisting of Alternaria, Blumeria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Claviceps, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Fusarium, Gaeumannomyces, Gibberella, Gloeosporium, Guignardia, Helminthospohum, Helminthosporium, Leptosphaeria, Macrophomina, Magnaporthe, Mildew, Monilinia, Monographella, Mycosphaerella, Nectria, Oomycete, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phaeosphaera, Phakopsora, Phoma, Phomopsis, Phytophthora, Plamodiophora Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Pseudoperonospora, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Ramularia, Rhizoctonia, Rhizoctonia, Rhizopus, Rhynchosporium, Sarocladium,Sclerotinia, Sclerotium, Septoria, Sphacelotheca, Taphrina, Thielavbpsis, Tilletia, Uncinula, Venturia and Verticilium. Said phytopathogenic fungus is most preferably selected from the list consisting of Alternaria, Blumeria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Fusarium, Gibberella, Gloeosporium, Helminthospohum, Helminthosporium, Leptosphaeria, Magnaporthe, Mildew, Oomycete, Peronospora, Phakopsora, Phoma, Phytophthora, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Sclerotinia, Sclerotium, Septoria and Venturia.

Said phytopathogenic bacterium preferably belongs to the genus Acidovorax, Agrobacterium, Burkholderia, Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pantoea, Pectobacterium, Phytoplasma, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Spiroplasma, Streptomyces, Xanthomonas or Xylella.

Said phytopathogenic virus is preferably a mosaic virus. Additionally and/or alternatively, said phytopathogenic virus is preferably selected from the list consisting of Tobacco mosaic virus, tomoato spotted wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, cucumber mosaic virus, potato virus Y, cauliflower mosaic virus, African cassava mosaic virus, plum pox virus, brome mosaic virus and potato virus X.

Said phytopathogenic insect preferably belongs to the family Plutellidae, Noctuidea, Aphididae, Tenebrionidae, Drosophilidae, Delphacidae, Chrysomelidae, Crambidae, Thripidae, Pentatomidae, Chrysomelidae, Tetranychidae or Aphrophoridae. More preferably said phytopathogenic insect belongs to the genus Plutella, Spodoptera, Myzus, Nilaparvata, Helicoverpa, Diabrotica, Chilo, Thrips, Euschistus, Phaedon, Tetranichus, Sitobion, Tribolium, Drosophila or Philaenus. More preferably said phytopathogenic insect is selected from the list consisting of Plutella, Spodoptera, Myzus, Drosophila, Nilaparvata, Helicoverpa, Diabrotica, Chilo, Thrips, Euschistus, Phaedon and Tetranichus.

In the context of biotic stress, it is a preferred embodiment that said sialic acid is as disclosed in the Section "Sialic acid".

In the context of abiotic stress, it is a preferred embodiment that said sialic acid is as disclosed in the Section "Sialic acid".

As elaborated in the Section "Additional saccharide", 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. Said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a sialylated saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a non-fucosylated saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a fucosylated saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide". Additionally and/or alternatively, said one or more additional saccharide(s) can be a monosaccharide saccharide as described in the Section "Additional saccharide".

In the context of abiotic stress and/or biotic stress, it is particularly preferred that one or more additional saccharide(s) is a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 3-linkage or alpha-1, 2-linkage; preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from 2'FL, 3-FL, 2'FLNB, 2'FLacNAc and 3FLacNAc, preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, 2'FL and 3FLAcNAc, most preferably 3-FL or 2'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. Additionally and/or alternatively, It is preferred that said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose; it is more preferred that said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

Even more preferably, said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), 2'-fucosyllacto-N- biose (2'FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH. Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Most preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention 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).

Furthermore, in the context of abiotic stress (in particular frost) and/or in the context of improving fructification and/or in the context of improving flower development and/or in the context of flower protection, a synergistic protective effect is obtained when: a sialic acid according to the invention; and

(ii) a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha- 1,3-linkage or alpha-1, 2-linkage (preferably an alpha-1, 2-linkage); preferably wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose; 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant) according to the invention.

Said sialic acid is preferably as describe in the Section "Sialic acid".

Said fucosylated saccharide preferably comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, 2'FLNB, 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 3-FL, 2'FL and 3FLAcNAc, most preferably 3-FL or 2'FL; optionally wherein said oligosaccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N- acetylglucosamine, fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose, N- acetylglucosamine and fucose. Additionally and/or alternatively, it is preferred that said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose; optionally wherein said fucosylated saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N- acetylglucosamine, fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose, N- acetylglucosamine and fucose. More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto- N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end. More preferably, said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), 2'- fucosyllacto-N-biose (2'FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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). Even more preferably, said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH. Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, di FL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Even more preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI). Most preferably said fucosylated saccharide according to the invention 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).

In another preferred embodiment, an effective amount of said sialic acid 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). The term "effective amount", in the context of biotic stress, refers to the amount that is required to protect from, preferably control, prevent or treat said biotic stress as described herein. If said biotic stress is a fungus or a fungal disease, said effective amount is a fungicidally effective amount, i.e. the relative amount of said saccharide that is effective to inhibit or control fungus growth rate, increase fungus mortality, or eradicate the fungus. The term "effective amount", in the context of abiotic stress, refers to the amount that is required to protect, preferably control, prevent or treat said abiotic stress as described herein. As understood by the skilled person, the effective amount will vary depending on the (a)biotic 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. 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). In the context of the invention wherein at least one additional saccharide is applied to a plant, part of said plant, seed of said plant and/or area where it is intended that said plant will grow (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant) in a method for protecting said plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress; it is particularly preferred that each sialic acid and each additional saccharide (preferably in the context wherein one or more of the additional saccharides is/are a fucosylated saccharide) are applied in a synergistic amount. 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 this context of the invention is an improved protection, preferably an improved tolerance, of a plant against abiotic stress and/or biotic stress which is greater than that observed when applying the individual saccharides.

In an additional and/or preferred embodiment, a non-phytotoxic amount of said sialic acid 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 (preferably applied to said plant, part of said plant or seed of said plant). If one or more additional saccharide(s) is/are applied in a method according to the invention, it is preferred that any one, preferably all, additional saccharide is applied in a non-phytotoxic amount. For the sake of clarity, the term "non- phytotoxic" applies to the plant that is treated, i.e. the applied saccharide(s) is/are not toxic (or at least has, according to the field, an acceptable level of toxicity) for the treated plant.

In a more preferred embodiment, the amount of said sialic acid saccharide and, if present, the amount of any, preferably all, additional saccharide is as described in the Sections "Sialic acid-" and "Additional saccharide".

Use

In a second aspect, the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a plant growth and/or plant development biostimulant. Preferably, said invention provides the use of a composition as a plant growth and/or plant development biostimulant, wherein said composition comprises a sialic acid, optionally one or more additional saccharide(s), preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Additional saccharide(s)", more preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development".

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a flower development biostimulant. More preferably, said invention provides the use of a composition as a flower development biostimulant, wherein said composition comprises a sialic acid, optionally one or more additional saccharide(s), preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Additional saccharide(s)", more preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Enhancing growth and/or development".

In the context of the present invention, said "sialic acid", "plant", "composition", "additional saccharide", "plant growth" and "plant development" throughout the second aspect of the present invention and claims are as described in the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a plant protection agent. Preferably, said invention provides the use of a composition as a plant protection agent, wherein said composition comprises a sialic acid, optionally one or more additional saccharide(s), preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Additional saccharide(s)", more preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Abiotic stress and/or biotic stress".

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides the use of a sialic acid as a flower protection agent. More preferably, said invention provides the use of a composition as a flower protection agent, wherein said composition comprises a sialic acid, optionally one or more additional saccharide(s), preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Additional saccharide(s)", more preferably wherein said additional saccharide(s) is as described in the Section "Abiotic stress and/or biotic stress". In the context of the present invention, said "sialic acid", "plant", "composition", "additional saccharide" and "protection" throughout the third aspect of the present invention and claims are as described in the first aspect of the invention.

Specific embodiments

The present invention preferably relates to the following specific embodiments:

1. A method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid 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 embodiment 1, wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid.

3. A method according to embodiment 2, wherein said eight-carbon sialic acid is ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO).

4. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid.

5. A method according to embodiment 4, 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, preferably wherein said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

6. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein said step of applying is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application, preferably is a seed application or aerial application.

7. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein said step of applying comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting.

8. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein said plant is an arable crop, fruitbearing plant or a vegetable.

9. A method according to any one embodiments 1 to 8, wherein said plant is under physiological conditions, abiotic stress or biotic stress.

10. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein said sialic acid is part of a composition.

11. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

12. A method according to embodiment 11, wherein said growth and/or development refers to one or more of improving plant yield, improving fructification, improving flower development and improving strength.

13. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said method is for enhancing flower development. 14. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress.

15. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 and 14, wherein said method is for protecting a flower or flowers of a plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress.

16. A method according to embodiment 14 or 15, wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress, light stress (preferably UV stress) and mechanical stress; preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress and light stress (preferably UV stress); more preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding) and light stress (preferably UV stress); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt) and humidity (preferably flooding); most preferably selected from the list consisting of frost, drought and humidity (preferably flooding).

17. A method according to any one of embodiments 14 to 16, wherein said biotic stress comprises a phytopathogen or a disease caused by said phytopathogen.

18. A method according to embodiment 17, wherein said phytopathogen is selected from the list consisting of a fungus, a bacterium, a virus, a nematode, a mollusc and an insect.

19. A method according to embodiment 17 or 18, wherein said phytopathogen is a fungus.

20. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein one or more additional saccharide(s) is/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.

21. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying one or more additional saccharides.

22. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying a non-fucosylated saccharide.

23. A method according to embodiment 22, wherein said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises a saccharide selected from the list consisting of lactose, LNB, LacNAc, LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; preferably selected from the list consisting of LNT-II, LNT and LNnT; optionally wherein said saccharide further comprises one or more additional monosaccharide(s), preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, more preferably selected from the list consisting of glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine, even more preferably selected from galactose and N-acetylglucosamine.

24. A method according to embodiment 22 or 23, wherein said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose. 25. A method according to any one of embodiments 22 to 24, wherein said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said non-fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

26. A method according to any one of embodiments 22 to 25, wherein said non-fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of lactose, Lacto-N-triose II (LN3, LNT-II), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, para-Lacto-N-pentaose, lacto-N- neohexaose, para-Lacto-N-neohexaose, lacto-N-hexaose, para-Lacto-N-hexaose, betafl, 3)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-neopentaose, beta-(l,4)Galactosyl-para-Lacto-N-pentaose, Gal-al,4- Gal-bl,4-Glc (Gal-al,4-lactose), P3' -galactosyllactose, P6' -galactosyllactose, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal- bl,4-Glc, Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3- Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3- Gal-bl,3-Galbl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc (GalNAc-bl,3-Lactose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc- bl,3-lactose, GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4-Gal-bl,4-Glc (globo-N-tetraose), Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-Gal-al,4- Gal-bl,4-Glc, GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNT, novo-LNT (GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal- bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP I (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP II (Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc), Gal-novo-LNP III (Gal-bl,3-Gal-bl,4- GlcNAc-bl,6-[Gal-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc), novo-LNO, GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, Gal-bl,3-GalNAc-bl,3-LNnT, LNH, LNnH, iso-LNO, novo-LNO, novo-LNnO, LND, iso-LND, GalNAc-al,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc, novo-LNP I, iso- LNT, DGalLNnH, galilipentasaccharide, 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, lacto-N-neodecaose, LNB, LacNAc, diLacNAc and poly- LacNAc.

27. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying a fucosylated saccharide.

28. A method according to embodiment 27, wherein said fucosylated saccharide comprises an oligosaccharide selected from 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 3-FL, 2'FL and 3FLAcNAc, most preferably 3-FL or 2'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.

29. A method according to embodiment 27 or 28, wherein said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose.

30. A method according to any one of embodiments 27 to 29, wherein said fucosylated saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said fucosylated saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

31. A method according to any one of embodiments 27 to 30, wherein said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3- fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), 2'-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2'FLNB), 4-fucosyllacto-N-biose (4FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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); preferably selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP II, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH I, LNDFH II, LNnFP I, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, 3-FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, 4FLNB, diFLNB, 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, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNnFP I and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); most preferably said fucosylated saccharide 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).

32. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 31, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 3-linkage.

33. A method according to embodiment 32, wherein said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3FlacNAc), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP III), lacto-N- fucopentaose V (LNFP V), 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 V (LNnFP V, LNFP VI), and lacto-N- neodifucohexaose (LNnDFH); preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, diFL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP III, LNFP V, LNDFH II, LNnFP V (LNFP VI) and LNnDFH; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, di FL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP III, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); even more preferably selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, diFL, diFLacNAc, 3FlacNAc, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI); most preferably said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 3-FL, 3FlacNAc, LNFP V and LNnFP V (LNFP VI).

34. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 33, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose linked to a monosaccharide through an alpha-1, 2-linkage.

35. A method according to embodiment 34, wherein said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), difucosyllactose (diFL), 2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (2'FlacNAc), difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (diFLacNAc), 2'-fucosyllacto-N-biose (2'FLNB), difucosyllacto-N-biose (diFLNB), 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-difucohexaose I (LNDFH I), lewis b-lewis x, difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a) (DFLNH (a)), trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose (TFLNH) and lacto-N-neofucopentaose I (LNnFP I); preferably selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I, LNDFH I and LNnFP I; more preferably selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, 2'FlacNAc, diFLacNAc, 2'FLNB, diFLNB, LNFP I and LNnFP I; most preferably said fucosylated saccharide is selected from the list consisting of 2'FL, diFL, LNFP I and LNnFP I.

36. A method according to any one of embodiments 32 to 35, wherein said monosaccharide is selected from glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose.

37. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 36, wherein said method further comprises a step of applying a sialic acid-containing saccharide.

38. A method according to embodiment 37, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid or an eight- carbon sialic acid, preferably an nine-carbon sialic acid.

39. A method according to embodiment 38, 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, preferably wherein said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

40. A method according to embodiment 38, wherein said eight-carbon sialic acid is ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO).

41. A method according to any one of embodiments 37 to 40, wherein said sialic acid is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6- or alpha-2, 8-linkage, preferably in an alpha-2,3- or an alpha-2, 6-linkage, more preferably in an alpha-2, 6-linkage.

42. A method according to embodiment 41, wherein said monosaccharide is selected from galactose, N- acetylglucosamine and sialic acid, preferably said monosaccharide is galactose or N- acetylglucosamine, more preferably said monosaccharide is galactose.

43. A method according to any one of embodiments 37 to 42, wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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 6'SL, 6'SLNB, 6'SLAcNAc, 6'KDO- lactose, 6'KDO-LNB and 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, 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.

44. A method according to any one of embodiments 37 to 43, wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), preferably comprises lactose or LacNAc, most preferably comprises lactose.

45. A method according to any one of embodiments 37 to 44, wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises a lactose, a lacto-N-biose (LNB) or N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) at its reducing end, preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose or LacNAc at its reducing end, most preferably said sialic acid-containing saccharide comprises lactose at its reducing end.

46. A method according to any one of embodiments 37 to 45, wherein said sialic acid-containing saccharide 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-l,3-)Gal-beta-l,4-Glc, Neu5Ac-alpha-2,6-(Neu5Ac-alpha-2,3-)Gal-beta-l,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'-sialyllactosamine (3'SLacNAc), 6'-sialyllactosamine (6'SLacNAc), sialyl Lewis x, 3'KDO-lactose, 6'KDO-lactose, 3'KDO- LNB, 6'KDO-LNB, 3'KDO-LacNAc and 6'KDO-LacNAc.

47. Use of a sialic acid as a plant growth and/or plant development biostimulant.

48. Use of a sialic acid as a flower development biostimulant.

49. Use of a sialic acid as a plant protection agent.

50. Use of a sialic acid as a flower protection agent.

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

1. A method of treating a plant, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid 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 embodiment 1, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid.

3. A method according to embodiment 2, 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, preferably wherein said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

4. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid.

5. A method according to embodiment 5, wherein said eight-carbon sialic acid is ketodeoxyoctonic acid

(KDO).

A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein said step of applying is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application.

7. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein said step of applying is a seed application or aerial application.

A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein said step of applying is a seed application.

9. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein said step of applying comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting.

10. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein said step of applying comprises coating, preferably coating by spraying.

11. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said sialic acid is part of a composition.

12. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress.

13. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress, light stress (preferably UV stress) and mechanical stress.

14. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from biotic stress.

15. A method according to embodiment 12 or 14, wherein said biotic stress comprises a phytopathogen or a disease caused by said phytopathogen.

16. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said method is for enhancing flower development.

17. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

18. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17, 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.

19. A method according to embodiment 18, wherein said method comprises a step of applying (i) a sialic acid-containing saccharide and/or (ii) a fucosylated saccharide and/or (iii) a non-fucosylated saccharide and/or (iv) a monosaccharide.

20. A method according to embodiment 18 or 19, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acid-containing saccharide, wherein said sialic acid is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha- 2,3-linkage or alpha-2, 6-linkage.

21. A method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha- 1,2-, alpha-1,3- or alpha-1, 4-linkage.

22. Use of a sialic acid as a plant protection agent.

23. Use of a sialic acid as a flower protection agent.

24. Use of a sialic acid as a flower development biostimulant.

25. Use of a sialic acid as a plant growth and/or plant development biostimulant.

Definitions

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The various aspects and embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are to be understood not only in the order and context specifically described in this specification, but to include any order and any combination thereof. Each embodiment as identified herein may be combined together unless otherwise indicated. All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all words used in the singular number shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures in cell culture, molecular genetics, organic chemistry and nucleic acid chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly employed in the art. Standard techniques are used for nucleic acid and peptide synthesis. Generally, enzymatic reactions and purification steps are performed according to the manufacturer's specifications.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. It must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alterations, other embodiments, improvements, details and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the invention herein and within the scope of this invention, which is limited only by the claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. In the claims which follow, reference characters used to designate claim steps are provided for convenience of description only, and are not intended to imply any particular order for performing the steps (unless specifically stated otherwise).

In this document and in its claims, the verbs "to comprise", "to have" and "to contain", and their conjugations are used in their non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. The verb "to consist essentially of" means that e.g. a composition as defined herein may comprise additional component(s) than the ones specifically identified, said additional component(s) not altering the unique characteristic of the invention. Throughout the document and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the verbs "to comprise", "to have" and "to contain", and their conjugations, may be preferably replaced by "to consist" (and its conjugations) or "to consist essentially of" (and its conjugations). In addition, 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 be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one". The word "about" or "approximately" or "around" when used in association with a numerical value, parameter or numerical range such as amounts, volumes, volume ratios, volume percentages, weight ratios, weight percentages, or application rates of ingredients of a composition; means an amount, a volume, a volume ratio, a volume percentage, a weight ratio, a weight percentage, or an application rate that is recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art to provide a desired effect equivalent to that obtained from the specified amount, volume, volume ratios, volume percentages, weight ratio, weight percentage, or application rate; and is encompassed herein and should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and applying ordinary rounding techniques. Preferably, the word "about" or "approximately" or "around" when used in association with a numerical value (e.g. about 10) preferably means that the value may be the given value (of 10) more or less 15%, preferably 10%, more preferably 5%, even more preferably 1%, of the value.

Throughout the description and claims, unless specifically stated otherwise, the expression "from x to y", wherein x and y represent numerical values, refers to a range of numerical values wherein both x and y are included and wherein x represents the lowest value and y represents the highest value. Hence, both x and y are also included in the range in addition to any value in-between.

The terms "LNT 11", "LNT-II", "LN3", "lacto-N-triose II", "lacto-N-triose II", "lacto-N-triose", "lacto-N-triose" and "GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNT", "lacto-N-tetraose", "lacto-/V-tetraose" and "Gal-pi,3-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNnT", "lacto-N-neotetraose", "lacto-/V-neotetraose", "neo-LNT" and "Gaipi-4GlcNAcpi- 3Gaipi-4Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "lacto-N-pentaose" and "LN5" are used interchangeably and refer to GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4- GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "lacto-N-neohexaose" and "LNnH" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC- bl,6-(Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC-bl,3)-Gal-bl,4Glc.

The term "pLNnH" refers to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "para-lacto-N-neohexaose II" and "pLNnH-l I" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,4- GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The term "pLNH" refers to Gal-bl,3-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "para-lacto-N-hexaose II" and "pLNH-ll" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,3- GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The term "pLNnO" refers to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4- Glc.

The term "pLNnD" refers to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4- GlcNAC-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The term "LNH" refers to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAC-bl,6-(Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc-bl,3)-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "lacto-N-biose" and "LNB" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc.

The terms "N-acetyllactosamine" and "LacNAc" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc.

The terms "iso-LNO" and iso-lacto-N-octaose" are used interchangeably and refer to Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc- bl,3-(Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,6-)Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "LND" and "lacto-N-decaose" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNnD" and "lacto-N-neodecaose" are used interchangeably.

The terms "2' fucosyllactose", "2'-fucosyllactose", "alpha-1, 2-fucosyllactose", "alpha 1,2 fucosyllactose", "a-l,2-fucosyllactose", "a 1,2 fucosyllactose", "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,4-Glc", 2FL" and "2'FL" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3-fucosyllactose", "alpha-1, 3-fucosyllactose", "alpha 1,3 fucosyllactose", "a-1,3- fucosyllactose", "a 1,3 fucosyllactose", "Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3-)Glc", 3FL" and "3-FL" are used interchangeably. The terms "difucosyllactose", "di-fucosyllactose", "lactodifucotetraose", "2',3-difucosyllactose", "2', 3 difucosyllactose", "a-2',3-fucosyllactose", "a 2', 3 fucosyllactose, "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3-)Glc", "DFLac", 2', 3 di FL", "DFL", "DiFL" and "di FL" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNFP-I", "lacto-N-fucopentaose I", "LNFP I", "LNF I OH type I determinant", "LNF I", "LNF1", "LNF 1" , "Blood group H antigen pentaose type 1" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,3-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "GalNAc-LNFP-l", "blood group A antigen hexaose type I", and "GalNAc-al,3-(Fuc-al,2)-Gal- pi,3-GlcNAc- pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "Gal-LNFP-I", "blood group B antigen hexaose type I" and "Gal-al,3-(Fuc-al,2)-Gal-pi,3- GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNFP-II", "lacto-N-fucopentaose II" and "Gal-pi,3-(Fuc-al,4)-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNFP-III", "lacto-N-fucopentaose III" and "Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3)-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNFP-V", "lacto-N-fucopentaose V" and "Gal-pi,3-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3)-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNDFH I", "Lacto-N-difucohexaose I", "LNDFH-I", "LDFH I", "Le^b-lactose", "Lewis-b hexasaccharide" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,3-[Fuc-al,4]-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably. The terms "LNDFH II", "Lacto-N-difucohexaose II", "Lewis a-Lewis x", "LDFH II" and "Fuc-al,4-(Gal-pi,3)- GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3)-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "lewis b-lewis x" and "Fucal,4-[Fuc-al,2-Gaipi,3]-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]-Glc are used interchangeably.

The terms "MFLNH III", "monofucosyllacto-N-hexaose-lll" and "Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]-GlcNAc-pi,6-[Gal- pi,3-GlcNAc-pi,3]-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "DFLNH (a)", "difucosyllacto-N-hexaose (a)" and "Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]-GlcNAc-pi,6-[Fuc-al,2- Gal-pi,3-GlcNAc-pi,3]-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "DFLNH", "difucosyllacto-N-hexaose" and "Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]-GlcNAc-pi,6-[Fuc-al,4-[Gal- pi,3]-GlcNAc-pi,3]-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "TFLNH", "trifucosyllacto-N-hexaose" and "Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]-GlcNAc-pi,6-[Fuc-al,4-[Fuc- al,2-Gal-pi,3]-GlcNAc-pi,3]-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNnFP I", "Lacto-N-neofucopentaose I" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,4-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNFP-VI", "LNnFP V", "lacto-N-neofucopentaose V" and "Gal-pi,4-GlcNAc-pi,3-Gal-pi,4-(Fuc- al,3)-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LNnDFH", "Lacto-N-neoDiFucohexaose", "Lewis x hexaose" "Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3)-GlcNAc-pi,3- Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3)-Glc" are used interchangeably. The terms "2'-fucosyllacto-N-biose", "2'FLNB" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,3-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "4-fucosyllacto-N-biose", "4FLNB" and "Fuc-al,4-[Gal-pi,3-]GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "difucosyllacto-N-biose", "diFLNB" and "Fuc-al,4-[Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,3-]GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "2'-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine", "2'FlacNAc" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,4-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine", "3FlacNAc" and "Gal-pi,4-(Fuc-al,3-)GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "difucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine", "diFlacNAc" and "Fuc-al,2-Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3-]GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3' sialyllactose", "3'-sialyllactose", "alpha-2, 3-sialyllactose", "alpha 2,3 sialyllactose", "a-2,3- sialyllactose", "a 2,3 sialyllactose", "3SL", "Sia-a2,3-Gal-pi,4-Glc" and "3'SL" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6' sialyllactose", "6'-sialyllactose", "alpha-2, 6-sialyllactose", "alpha 2,6 sialyllactose", "a-2,6- sialyllactose", "a 2,6 sialyllactose", "6SL", "Sia-a2,6-Gal-pi,4-Glc" and "6'SL" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3,6-disialyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Neu5Ac-a2,6- Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6,6'-disialyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-Neu5Ac-a2,6- Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "8,3-disia lyl lactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,8-Neu5Ac-a2,3- Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3'S-2'FL", "3' -sialyl-2' -fucosyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-[Fuc-al,2-]Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6'S-2'FL", "6' -sialyl-2' -fucosyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-[Fuc-al,2-]Gal-pi,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3'S-3-FL", "3'-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6'S-3-FL", "6'-sialyl-3-fucosyllactose" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3]Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LSTa", "LS-Tetrasaccharide a", "Sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose a", "sialyllacto-N-tetraose a" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LSTb", "LS-Tetrasaccharide b", "Sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose b", "sialyllacto-N-tetraose b" and "Gal- bl,3-(Neu5Ac-a2,6)-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LSTc", "LS-Tetrasaccharide c", "Sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose c", "sialyllacto-N-tetraose c", "sialyllacto-N-neotetraose c" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "LSTd", "LS-Tetrasaccharide d", "Sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose d", "sialyllacto-N-tetraose d", "sialyllacto-N-neotetraose d" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3'-sialyllacto-N-biose", "3'SLNB" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6'-sialyllacto-N-biose", "6'SLNB" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "monofucosylmonosialyllacto-N-octaose", "sialyl Lewis a", "sialyl Lea", "5-acetylneuraminyl-(2- 3)-galactosyl-(l-3)-(fucopyranosyl-(l-4))-N-acetylglucosamine" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-pi,3-[Fuc-al,4]- GIcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "3'-sialyllactosamine", "3'SLacNAc" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "6'-sialyllactosamine", "6'SLacNAc" and "Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "sialyl Lewis x" , "sialyl Lex", "5-acetylneuraminyl-(2-3)-galactosyl-(l-4)-(fucopyranosyl-(l-3))- N-acetylglucosamine" and "Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-pi,4-[Fuc-al,3-]GlcNAc" are used interchangeably.

The terms "Neu4Ac", "4-O-acetyl-5-amino-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid" and "4-O-acetyl neuraminic acid" are used interchangeably and have C11H19NO9 as molecular formula. The terms "Neu5Ac", "5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid", "D- glycero-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-galacto-non-2-ulo-pyranosonic acid"," 5-(acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy- D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosonic acid", "5-(acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2- nonulosonic acid", "5-(acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-nonulosonic acid" and "5- (acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid" are used interchangeably and have C11H19NO9 as molecular formula.

The terms "Neu4,5Ac2", "N-acetyl-4-O-acetylneuraminic acid", "4-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid", "4- O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminate", "4-acetate 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto- nonulosonate", "4-acetate 5-(acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonate", "4- acetate 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid" and "4-acetate 5-(acetylamino)- 3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid" are used interchangeably and have C13H21NO10 as molecular formula.

The terms "Neu5,7Ac2", "7-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid", "N-acetyl-7-O-acetylneuraminic acid", "7- O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminate", "7-acetate 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto- nonulosonate", "7-acetate 5-(acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonate", "7- acetate 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid" and "7-acetate 5-(acetylamino)- 3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid" are used interchangeably herein and have C13H21NO10 as molecular formula.

The terms "Neu5,8Ac2" and "5-n-acetyl-8-o-acetyl neuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein and have C13H21NO10 as molecular formula.

The terms "Neu5,9Ac2", "N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid", "9-anana", "9-O-acetylsialic acid", "9-0- acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid", "5-n-acetyl-9-O-acetyl neuraminic acid", "N,9-O-diacetylneuraminate" and "N,9-O-diacetylneuraminate" are used interchangeably herein and have C13H21NO10 as molecular formula.

The terms "Neu4,5,9Ac3" and "5-N-acetyl-4,9-di-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu5,7,9Ac3" and "5-N-acetyl-7,9-di-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu5,8,9Ac3" and "5-N-acetyl-8,9-di-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu4,5,7,9Ac4" and "5-N-acetyl-4,7,9-tri-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu5,7,8,9Ac4" and "5-N-acetyl-7,8,9-tri-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu4,5,7,8,9Ac5" and "5-N-acetyl-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetylneuraminic acid" are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "Neu5Gc", "N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid", "N-glycolylneuraminic acid", "N- glycolylneuraminate", "N-glycoloyl-neuraminate", "N-glycoloyl-neuraminic acid", "N-glycoloylneuraminic acid", "3,5-dideoxy-5-((hydroxyacetyl)amino)-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid", "3,5-dideoxy-5- (glycoloylamino)-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosonic acid", "3,5-dideoxy-5-(glycoloylamino)-D- glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid", "3,5-dideoxy-5-[(hydroxyacetyl)amino]-D-glycero-D- galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid", "D-glycero-5-glycolylamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-galacto-non-2-ulo- pyranosonic acid" are used interchangeably and have C11H19NO10 as molecular formula.

The terms "DSLNnT" and "Disialyllacto-N-neotetraose" are used interchangeably and refer to Neu5Ac- a2,6-[Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3]-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "DSLNT" and "Disialyllacto-N-tetraose" are used interchangeably and refer to Neu5Ac-a2,6- (Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,3-)GlcNAc-bl,3-Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "DS'LNT" and "disialyllacto-N-tetraose analog" are used interchangeably and refer to Neu5Ac- a2,6-(Neu5Ac-a2,6-Gal-bl,3-GlcNAc-bl,3-)Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The terms "DS'LNnT" and "disialyllacto-N-neotetraose analog" are used interchangeably and refer to Neu5Ac-a2,6-(Neu5Ac-a2,3-Gal-bl,4-GlcNAc-bl,3-)Gal-bl,4-Glc.

The term "Gal" refers to galactose, "GIcNAc" to N-acetylglucosamine, "Neu5Ac" to N-acetylneuraminic acid, "Glc" to glucose, "ManNAc" to N-acetylmannosamine, "GalNAc" to N-acetylgalactosamine, "Fuc" to fucose and "LacNAc" to N-acetyllactosamine. Examples

The invention will be described in more detail in the examples. The following examples will serve as further illustration and clarification of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

Example 1: saccharides

N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) was obtained from Apollo Scientific (cat. No OR8154; CAS number 131- 48-6; purity of 97%).

Saccharide analysis

Standards were purchased from Carbosynth (UK), Elicityl (France) and IsoSep (Sweden). Other compounds were analyzed with in-house made standards.

Neutral oligosaccharides were analyzed on a Waters Acquity H-class UPLC with Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) or a Refractive Index (Rl) detection. A volume of 0.7 pL sample was injected on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH Amide column (2.1 x 100 mm;130 A;1.7 pm) column with an Acquity UPLC BEH Amide VanGuard column, 130 A, 2. lx 5 mm. The column temperature was 50 °C. The mobile phase consisted of a % water and % acetonitrile solution to which 0.2 % triethylamine was added. The method was isocratic with a flow of 0.130 mL/min. The ELS detector had a drift tube temperature of 50 °C and the Nj gas pressure was 50 psi, the gain 200 and the data rate 10 pps. The temperature of the Rl detector was set at 35 °C.

Sialylated saccharides were analyzed on a Waters Acquity H-class UPLC with Refractive Index (Rl) detection. A volume of 0. 5 pL sample was injected on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH Amide column (2.1 x 150 mm;130 A;1.7 pm). The column temperature was 50 °C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 70 % acetonitrile, 26 % ammonium acetate buffer (150 mM) and 4 % methanol to which 0.05 % pyrrolidine was added. The method was isocratic with a flow of 0.150 mL/min. The temperature of the Rl detector was set at 35 °C.

Both neutral and sialylated sugars were analyzed on a Waters Acquity H-class UPLC with Refractive Index (Rl) detection. A volume of 0.5 pL sample was injected on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH Amide column (2.1 x 150 mm;130 A;1.7 pm). The column temperature was 50°C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 72% acetonitrile and 28% ammonium acetate buffer (100 mM) to which 0.1% triethylamine was added. The method was isocratic with a flow of 0.260 mL/min. The temperature of the Rl detector was set at 35°C.

The purity of a saccharide of interest was calculated by the following formula: [AUC(saccharide of interest) / AUC (each detected saccharide)] *100%. "AUC" refers to "area under the curve". Quantitative NMR

The % w/w of a saccharide of interest per total mass of the powder was determined with a qNMR method. NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance Neo 400MHz equipped with a SmartProbe. Spectra were processed with TopSpin v4.1.1 (Bruker BioSpin GmbH). Deuterium oxide (D2O, 99.9%D), maleic acid (TraceCERT, Supelco, lot n° BCCC6481, purity 99.94%) and glass 5mm NMR tubes (Wilmad, 400MHz grade) were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. An analytical balance with reading to O.lmg was used for sample preparation.

Samples were prepared in triplicate. Analyte (HMO) was analysed 'as such' and not dried or otherwise treated before sample preparation. Approximately 50mg HMO and approximately 25mg internal standard (Maleic acid) were accurately weighed together in a 3mL glass vial. 500pL of deuterium oxide (D2O) was added and the vial was agitated until all solids were dissolved. From the resulting clear and colourless solution, 125pL was transferred to an NMR tube, 475pL of D2O was added and the contents of the tube were homogenized by careful vortexing.

Spectra were recorded at 400MHz at a temperature of 298K without spinning (spinner frequency = 0) with the following parameters and settings:

Flip angle: 30°

Number of scans: 32

Relaxation delay: 20s

Raw data under the form of Bruker datafiles were loaded into TopSpin and automatically Fourier transformed and phased by the software. No manual phasing or other forms of baseline correction were necessary. For quantification, two signals were manually integrated (WITHOUT their ¹³C satellite peaks) and the purity (%mass fraction) of HMO was calculated as follows:

is the purity (% m/m) to be determined of the HMO analyte lx and Is are the integrals of the quantified HMO resp. internal standard signals

N_x and Ns are the number of protons (1H nuclei) contributing to the quantified signals of HMO and internal standard (2 protons for maleic acid)

M_x and Ms are the molecular weights of HMO and internal standard m_x and ms are the masses of HMO and internal standard in the qNMR sample ws is the (known) purity of the internal standard Example 2: biostimulation (abiotic stress)

Set-up drought/flooding experiment

For foliar treatment, maize (cultivar Mon Cherie) seeds or wheat (cultivar Chevignon) seeds were sown in trays (12x8) in substrate with additional perlite. After 10 days when the plants have 2 grown leaves, foliar application was executed by spraying with a saccharide (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations in water or combination of different saccharides (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations in water. A spraying cabin using an Albuz ADI 100° drift reducing nozzle was used mimicking a field application of 200 liter per hectare.

For seed treatment, maize (cultivar mofox) seeds were coated in a Satec ML2000 seed treater (8 liters of formulation per ton of seeds). The formulation consists of 8 % (v/v) polyvinylalcohol in water and different concentrations of a saccharide (it is referred to Example 1), or combination of different saccharides (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations. Coated seeds were then sown in trays (12x8) in substrate with additional perlite.

Three days after foliar treatment (foliar treatment experiment) or about 13 days after sowing (seed coating experiment), plants were potted in P9 and placed on regime:

Drought: plants were placed in plastic container without watering. When the first symptoms of drought were visible, each pot got 100 mL of water;

Flooding: plants were placed in a plastic container with water. The water level was adjusted to pot height such that the substrate is covered with water. After symptoms of yellow leaves, plants were placed in eb-flood conditions (21 liter per 2.5 m² during 2 min per 24 hours).

Eb-flood system: this is to test the growth promotion in "normal conditions".

Climate conditions of the greenhouse:

Temperature: 22°C (day) / 10°C (night)

Humidity: 50% relative humidity

Covering: o 300 W/m2 = 30% cover o 500 W/m2 = 50% cover o 700 W/m2 = 70% cover o 900 W/m2 = 90% cover

Plants were assessed on shoot length, chlorophyl content, biomass (i.e. fresh weight of canopy) and the moisture of each pot. Measurements were done on the first day of potting (i.e. first measurements) and every 3-4 days during a period of 3-4 weeks.

Set-up frost experiment

Strawberry (cultivar Sonata/Elsanta/Flair) was cultivated (1 plant per pot P13) in a standard strawberry- substrate and additional Osmocoat (18-5-11 + 4CaO + 2MgO Agroblen; 180 g/65 L substrate). Pots are placed on an eb-flood system (21 liter per 2.5 m² during 10 min; 2 times per 24 hours). Foliar application by spraying (different concentrations of saccharide, it is referred to Example 1, in water, or combination of different saccharides, it is referred to Example 1, at different concentrations in water) was done at start of growth (about 1 week after planting), 1 day before frost or 10 days before frost. A spraying cabin using an Albuz ADI 100° drift reducing nozzle was used mimicking a field application of 200 liter per hectare. When full boom, each branch was marked in same phonological stage and plants were placed on pallets (buffer plants placed around pallet) in a fridge at 5°C during night. In the morning, after chilling the plants, the plants were put in a freezing container at -5°C. Temperature loggers were placed between the plants. When the temperature reached -3°C, the freezing temperature was set to -3°C. The plants were taken out of the container after one hour freezing at -3°C. The percentage of damaged flowers on the marked flowerbranch was assessed one day and one week after frost. Further, when the fruits riped, the riped fruits were harvested and assessed (count and weight of classl and class2 fruit on the marked branch and rest of the plant separately). After 3 harvest moments, also the amount of flowerbranches, unripe fruits and stolons were assessed.

Climate conditions of the greenhouse:

Temperature: 22°C (day) / 10°C (night)

Humidity: 50% relative humidity

Results

Table 1 (foliar treatment) shows the growth (i.e. plant length at end of an indicated period minus the plant length at beginning of said indicated period) of maize during stress (GS), during recovery (GR) and during the trial (GT) as % compared with the untreated control (UTC, i.e. no saccharide administered) which is set as 100%. For example, growth during stress is calculated as follows: plant length at start recovery minus the plant length before start of stress. Table 1. Biostimulation results for maize (cultivar Mon Cherie) and wheat (cultivar Chevignon) in different abiotic stress conditions (foliar treatment). "UTC" = untreated control; "Dose" represents the amount of each tested saccharide per hectare; "GS" = growth during stress; "GR" = growth during recovery"; "GT" = growth during trial.

Table 2 shows the amount of healthy flowers, classl fruit and fruitweight of Strawberry (after frost stress) treated with a saccharide (foliar treatment) as % compared with the untreated control (UTC, i.e. no saccharide administered) which is set as 100%.

Table 2. Biostimulation results for Strawberry (cultivar Sonata/Elsanta/Flair) upon frost stress. "UTC" = untreated control; "Dose" represents the amount of each tested saccharide per hectare;

means that no fruits were harvested on the marked branch.

Example 4: biotic stress

Lab trials

Seeds of wheat (variety Feeling) or oilseed rape (variety Helga) were coated in a Satec ML2000 seed treater (8 liters of formulation per ton of seeds). The formulation consists of 8 % (v/v) polyvinylalcohol in water and different concentrations of a saccharide (it is referred to Example 1) or a combination of different saccharides (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations. For each concentration 4 repetitions were conducted. Five seeds were placed on moister filter paper in petri dishes. The seeds were germinated in an incubator at 20° in a 12h light/12h dark regime. Four days after starting the trial, the seedlings were infected with a spore suspension of the pathogen (Fusarium culmorum, i.e. FUSACU, for wheat; hemibiotrophic Leptosphaeria maculans, i.e. LEPTMA, for oilseed rape) in a concentration of lxlO⁵ spores/ml in 1/8 potato dextrose broth. For each Petri dish, 3ml of spore suspension was added to ensure infection. Plant health was monitored every day after infection until 2 weeks after inoculation. The treated plants were compared with untreated healthy seedlings and untreated infected seedlings. The result is the % healthy plants (efficacy) compared with the untreated infected seedlings. Greenhouse trials

For foliar treatment, wheat (Benchmark or Bennington) seeds were sown in pottery soil: 4 sees per pot. For each concentration tested, 5 repetitions were used. Fifteen days after sowing, foliar application was executed by spraying with a saccharide (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations in water, or a combination of different saccharides (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations. A spraying cabin using an Albuz ADI 100° drift reducing nozzle was used mimicking a field application of 200 liter per hectare.

For seed treatment, wheat (benchmark) seeds were coated in a Satec ML2000 seed treater (8 liters of formulation per ton of seeds). The formulation consists of 8 % (v/v) polyvinylalcohol in water and different concentrations of a saccharide (it is referred to Example 1) or a combination of different saccharides (it is referred to Example 1) at different concentrations. Coated seeds were then sown in pottery soil: 4 seeds per pot. For each concentration tested, 5 repetitions were used.

Three days after foliar treatment (foliar treatment trial) or 18 days after sowing (seed coating trial), plants were inoculated with a spore suspension of the biotrophic fungus Puccinia triticina (PUCCRT) in a concentration of lxlO⁵ spores/mL until run off. After the first symptoms, plants were assessed 11, 13 and 21 days after inoculation. The % of spots PUCCRT (=severity of infection) on the 4 upper leaves of the plants was determined. The average severity of the 4 upper leaves was calculated for each plant. The overall efficacy of each treatment is calculated as % in comparison with the untreated infected control.

Results

The efficacy of different saccharides to protect plants from phytopathogens is represented in Table 3 (lab trials: wheat and oilseed rape), Table 4 (greenhouse trials: wheat variety Benchmark) and Table 5 (greenhouse trials: wheat variety Bennington).

Table 3. Efficacy of a sialic acid to protect wheat (variety Feeling) and oilseed rape (variety Helga) against a pathogen (lab trials).

"FUSACU" = Fusarium culmorum; "LEPTMA" = Leptosphaeria maculans; "UTC" = untreated control.

Table 4. Efficacy of a sialic acid to protect wheat (variety Benchmark) against Puccinia triticina (greenhouse trials). "UTC" = untreated control.

Table 5. Efficacy of a sialic acid to protect wheat (variety Bennington) against Puccinia triticina (greenhouse trials). "UTC" = untreated control.

Claims

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sialic acid is a nine-carbon sialic acid.

3. A method according to claim 2, 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, preferably wherein said nine-carbon sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sialic acid is an eight-carbon sialic acid.

5. A method according to claim 5, wherein said eight-carbon sialic acid is ketodeoxyoctonic acid (KDO).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said step of applying is a seed application, root application, aerial application or soil application.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said step of applying is a seed application or aerial application.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said step of applying is a seed application.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said step of applying comprises one or more selected from watering, spraying (including ultra-low volume spraying), irrigation, atomising, nebulising, dusting, foaming, spreading, coating, drenching, dripping and injecting.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said step of applying comprises coating, preferably coating by spraying.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said sialic acid is part of a composition.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress and/or biotic stress.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from abiotic stress selected from the list consisting of frost, drought, osmotic stress (preferably salt), humidity (preferably flooding), heat stress, light stress (preferably UV stress) and mechanical stress.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is for protecting a plant or a part of a plant from biotic stress.

15. A method according to claim 12 or 14, wherein said biotic stress comprises a phytopathogen or a disease caused by said phytopathogen.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is for enhancing flower development.

17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is for enhancing the growth and/or development of a plant or a part of a plant.

18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, 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.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said method comprises a step of applying (i) a sialic acidcontaining saccharide and/or (ii) a fucosylated saccharide and/or (iii) a non-fucosylated saccharide and/or (iv) a monosaccharide.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a sialic acidcontaining saccharide, wherein said sialic acid is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-2, 3-linkage or alpha-2, 6-linkage.

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said method comprises a step of applying a fucosylated saccharide comprising a fucose that is linked to a monosaccharide in an alpha-1,2-, alpha-1,3- or alpha-1, 4-linkage.

22. Use of a sialic acid as a plant protection agent.

23. Use of a sialic acid as a flower protection agent.

24. Use of a sialic acid as a flower development biostimulant.