SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, March 25 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists say they've created a new class of "green" fungicides to provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fungicides.
The University of Saskatchewan researchers led by Professor Soledade Pedras say their new fungicides -- called "paldoxins" -- can duplicate the work of conventional pesticides in helping protect corn, wheat and other crops that are used for food and biofuel production. But the scientists said their new fungicides also can help fight the growing problem of resistance, in which plant pests shrug off fungicides.
The researchers said most fungicides today include chemicals that can kill potentially beneficial organisms. The new fungicides, however, disrupt a key chemical signaling pathway that fungi use to break down a plant's normal defenses, thereby stopping fungi that cause plant diseases without harming other organisms.
As a result, the plants boost their natural defenses and overcome fungal attack without harming people and the environment, the researchers said.
"Conventional fungicides kill constantly," said Pedras. "Our products only attack the fungus when it's misbehaving or attacking the plant. And for that reason, they're much safer."
The study was presented this week in Salt Lake City during the 237th national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
