SELECTIVE ANTIFUNGAL ACTION OF ARYLSELENEPHOSPHATES AGAINST Phymatotrichopsis omnivora

Abstract

In the search for antifungal agents with a selective mode of action, a series of synthetic cyclic arylselenephosphates compounds were evaluated against Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, the causal agent of texas root rot. Spreading of fungus is due to the rapid growth of mycelial strands through the soil from plant to plant. Strands formation was inhibited in a range from 10 to 100 % by arylselenephosphates compounds. These compounds are analogues to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMPc), required to activate the phosphorylation process in which glycogen is catabolized and used by the fungus as an energy source during sclerotial germination.