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Phytotoxins as potential herbicides

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Abstract

Phytotoxins are produced in various culture media by many fungi that are pathogenic to weeds. These phytotoxins belong to a wide array of chemical substances including sesquiterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, diketopiperazines, peptides, spirocyclic lactams, isocoumarins, and polyketides. In most cases, the phytotoxin belongs to a family of related compounds produced by the fungus. These related compounds may or may not be phytotoxins. Phytotoxin production, in some cases, is optimized by the addition of a host extract to the culture medium. Biological activity is usually observed in a range of concentrations from 10−3 to 10−6 M. The concept of using these molecules, derivatives thereof, or related compounds as herbicides should be explored.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, Montana State University, 59717-0002, Bozeman, Montana, USA

    G. Strobel, D. Kenfield & G. Bunkers

  2. Laboratory of Herbicide and Plant Growth, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Riken, Wako-shi Saitama, Japan

    F. Sugawara

  3. Department of Chemistry, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, New York, USA

    J. Clardy

Authors
  1. G. Strobel
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  2. D. Kenfield
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  3. G. Bunkers
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  4. F. Sugawara
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  5. J. Clardy
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Strobel, G., Kenfield, D., Bunkers, G. et al. Phytotoxins as potential herbicides. Experientia 47, 819–826 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01922462

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