Induced plant secondary metabolites for phytopatogenic fungi control: a review

Abstract

Pathogenic fungi constitute one of the main infectious agents in plants, causing alterations during developmental stages including post-harvest. Phytopathogenic fungi are controlled by synthetic fungicides; however, the use of these is progressively restricted due to both, the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and human health and the appearance of highly resistant fungal strains. Therefore, there is a great demand for novel natural fungicides. Higher plants are rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites of wide variety such as tannins, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds, reported to have in vitro antifungal properties. Thus, secondary metabolites with antifungal activity represent an alternative for achieving a sustainable control of phytopathogenic fungi and to reduce the heavy reliance of synthetic pesticides used to control them. Plant antifungal metabolites may be preformed inhibitors that are present constitutively in healthy plants (phytoanticipins), or they may be synthesized de novo in response to pathogen attack or another stress conditions (phytoalexins). These molecules may be used directly or considered as a precursor for developing better fungicidal molecules. This review presents a selection of antifungal agents induced in plants during fungal attack that can be potentially used for phytopathogenic fungi control in crops.

Grain morphology, texture and colour-related compounds of bread wheat cultivars in relation to cultivation regimes and growing location

“…All of these features may be affected by the environment, e.g., water stress reduces kernel width and thickness, and these kernels are lighter and redder than those with optimal growth (Konopka et al, 2007). Similarly, heat and light stress and sulphur fertilization affect carotenoid accumulation (Fratianni et al, 2005;Howitt, Pogson, 2006), while biotic stress can increase the content of grain polyphenols (Moura et al, 2010;Ribera, Zuniga, 2012), which may jointly affect kernel colour (Ficco et al, 2014).…”

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-rhizopus Activity of Methanolic Seed Extract of Camelina Sativa L.

“…Plants are unlike humans lacks defence immune systems therefore; they produce a wide range of secondary metabolites that provide defence against various pathogens 7 . It has been proven that extracts of many species of the Brassicaceae family including Camelina showed antimicrobial activities due to the presence of various bioactive compounds like camalexin, sinapic acid, phytic acid, flavonols, glucosinolates and many more 17 .…”

“…But, now these days, it has been recommended to use natural bioactive compounds instead of using synthetic compounds due to safety and toxicity concerns that encouraged scientists to explore more medicinal plant resources 6 . Also, fungal pathogens have developed resistance to commonly broad spectrum fungicides due to their arbitrary use 7 . Therefore, there is urgent need to search for novel natural antifungal compounds from several unexplored plants including Camelina sativa [8][9][10] .…”

The Use of Plants to Protect Plants and Food Against Fungal Pathogens: A Review

“…Differing in a) molecular weight, b) structure c) functionality and d) class (e.g. alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, tannins, fatty acids) (Ribera and Zuniga, 2012). The advantage of plant extracts is that they frequently contain a mixture of chemicals that may work in synergism to inhibit growth of phytopathogenic fungi.…”

“…Sesquiterpene and zerumbone have antifungal activity against R. solani (Okwute, 2012). Other antifungal compounds from plants have been extensively discussed (Cowan, 1999;Ribera and Zuniga, 2012).…”