Planta Med 2008; 74 - P-93
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1075289

Polyacetylenes from Postia balsamea, a Causal Agent of Root Rot and Butt Rot in Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

M Kumarihamy 1, 2, NPD Nanayakkara 1, SO Duke 3
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research, Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy,University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677
  • 3Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University, MS 38677

Root rot and butt rot cause considerable losses in softwood production resulting in direct mortality, rendering trees susceptible to secondary mortality agents such as bark beetles, causing cull and degredation, reducing growth rates of infected trees, and predisposing them to windthrow and wind snap [1]. An ethyl acetate extract of fermentation broth of Postia balsamea (Tyromyces balsameus), a causal agent of root rot and butt rot in balsam fir, showed potent phytotoxic activity against both monocots and dicots. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of a new (1) and known (2) enediyne from the active fractions. Acknowledgements: The authors sincerely thank Dr. Bandara Herath for recording NMR spectra and Bob Johnson, USDA-ARS, for his technical assistance in this research. References: [1] Rizzo DM, Harrington TC (1988) Plant diseases 72: 329–331.