AGRO 34 |
| Most crop diseases are caused by viruses and microorganisms that have evolved specifically to infect living plants. Fungal phytopathogens are among the major constraints in crop production, particularly in a genial and humid climate like that of eastern Asia. Thus, precautions to control the plant diseases have long been used in this region; inorganic compounds such as copper oxychloride and sulfur were used initially, followed by the conventional organic fungicides, such as, methyl bromide, dithiocarbamates, and organophosphorus compounds. Since the action mechanism of these fungicides is nonspecific, they sometimes exerted undesirable side effects on non-target organisms and the environment. Thus, the modern fungicides have been developed to have no such adverse effect on non-target organisms; nonfungicidal disease controlling agents such as melanin biosynthesis inhibitors are typical examples of these chemicals. Most of the fungicides of microbial origin are also highly specific to the target plant pathogens and biodegradable in the environment. The biochemistry and molecular biology of these chemicals will be discussed focusing on the control of rice blast disease. The outstanding research contributions of many co-workers in The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) are greatly appreciated. |
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ACS International Award for Research in Agrochemicals: Symposium in Honor of Isamu Yamaguchi: Fungicides Sponsored by BASF Corporation
8:00 AM-11:45 AM, Monday, 11 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon 1, Oral
Division of Agrochemicals |