Used as a plant growth regulator in agricultural research to study brassinosteroid biosynthesis and signaling pathways. Inhibits the enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP85A2), which blocks brassinosteroid production, leading to dwarfism in plants. This effect helps scientists understand the role of brassinosteroids in plant development, including stem elongation, leaf expansion, and stress responses. Also applied in experiments to improve crop resistance to environmental stresses such as drought and salinity by modulating hormone levels. Widely used in laboratory settings for phenotypic analysis and genetic studies in model plants like Arabidopsis.