Phytonematicidal activity of aromatic compounds related to shikimate pathway

Abstract

Twenty-two aromatic derivatives and the conjugated carbonyl compound t-3-penten-2-one were tested for nematicidal activity against the nematodesGlobodera pallidaandG. rostochiensis. Nine of the compounds were highly toxic on the infective stages (second instar juveniles) of the nematodes with a LC50ranking from 2 × 10−6to 1.26 × 10−3M. The activity is related to the presence of a carbonyl-conjugated system. Some of the compounds tested are derived from the shikimate pathway. This metabolic route plays an important role in plant defense mechanisms. The results in relation to the use of phenyl derivatives as an alternative to conventional nematicidal compounds and their possible role in plants as allelopathic substances for nematodes are discussed.