Creating environmentally friendly fungicides from resin for sustainable crop protection

Creating environmentally friendly fungicides from resin for sustainable crop protection

Vaseline

Jim Crocker
July 21, 2024



Creating environmentally friendly fungicides from resin for sustainable crop protection

Image source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Northwest A&F University have developed resin-based fungicides to combat fungal diseases in crops
  • One compound, Co. 6a, effectively inhibited the growth of the apple canker pathogen Valsa mali in laboratory and field tests
  • Co. 6a damages the cell membranes of fungi and disrupts energy production, leading to the death of the fungal cell.
  • Although Co. 6a is environmentally friendly, it can cause organ damage in zebrafish at high concentrations, necessitating careful dosage management
Crop protection is a major concern in agriculture, with fungal diseases posing a significant threat to yield and quality. The need for effective, environmentally friendly fungicides is urgent. Researchers at Northwest A&F University have made progress in this area by developing resin-based fungicides(1). Their research introduces two series of these compounds, 35 in total, with promising results against fungal pathogens. One notable compound, called Co. 6a, showed remarkable efficacy. In laboratory tests, Co. 6a inhibited the growth of Valsa mali, a pathogen responsible for apple canker, with an EC50 value of 0.627 μg/mL. In field tests, Co. 6a showed protective efficacy ranging from 35.12% to 75.20% on apple branches and 75.86% to 90.82% on apples. To understand how Co. 6a works, researchers performed quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory. These calculations identified the amide structure of Co. 6a as the primary active site. Further investigation of the mycelial morphology and physiology of V. mali revealed that Co. 6a causes significant damage to the cell membrane, accelerates electrolyte leakage, reduces the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein, and disrupts various physiological and biochemical functions, leading to the death of fungal cells. Molecular docking analysis, a technique used to predict how molecules such as drugs bind to their targets, revealed a strong binding energy (ΔE = -7.29 kcal/mol) between Co. 6a and SDH. This binding disrupts the SDH enzyme, which is crucial for the energy production of the fungal cell. This mode of action is similar to that of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), a class of fungicides that target the SDH enzyme(2)However, resistance to SDHIs has been observed in several pathogens due to mutations in the SDH enzyme, complicating their effectiveness(2)The introduction of Co. 6a offers a novel approach that could potentially circumvent these resistance issues. The environmental impact of Co. 6a was also evaluated using a zebrafish model. Although the compound was found to be environmentally benign, toxicological assessments indicated that Co. 6a caused damage to the gills, liver, and intestines of zebrafish at a median lethal concentration (LC50(96)), highlighting the need for careful dosage management to minimize potential ecological damage. The findings of the Northwest A&F University study build on previous research into plant-derived fungicides and their mechanisms. For example, a study of α-pinene derivatives of turpentine showed that these compounds could inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in fungal cell membranes, leading to increased membrane permeability and cell death.(3). Similarly, the impact of Co. 6a on cell membrane integrity and SDH activity suggests a multifaceted approach to disrupting fungal cell functions. Furthermore, the study’s focus on environmentally friendly solutions aligns with ongoing efforts to develop sustainable agricultural practices. Previous research on Stachybotrys levispora, which produces griseofulvin to inhibit Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, another important crop pathogen, underscores the potential of natural compounds in biological control(4). The promising results of Co. 6a contribute to this knowledge and provide a new candidate for sustainable crop protection. In summary, the development of resin-based fungicides by Northwest A&F University represents a significant advance in the quest for effective and environmentally friendly crop protection solutions. The comprehensive approach of the study, from molecular docking to field efficacy testing, provides a robust foundation for future research and application. By addressing both efficacy and environmental impact, this research paves the way for more sustainable agricultural practices.


AgricultureSustainabilityBiotechnology


References

Main study

1) Design, synthesis and evaluation of the biological activity of environmentally friendly resin-based fungicides for sustainable crop protection.

Published on July 19, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8323

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