Effectiveness of Four New Pyrazole-Pyrimidines on Phytopathogens: Ultrastructural Evidences on Pythium ultimum

Four newly synthesized molecules derived from pyrazole-pyrimidine were assayed on Botrytis cinerea Micheli, Fusarium moniliforme Sheld and Pythium ultimum Trow. All proved effective in inhibiting the growth of the phytopathogens at all of the test concentrations (10, 20, 50, 100 μg/ml). The most effective compound was 1-(3)nitro-phenyl - 6 - trifluoromethylpyrazolo[3,4 - d]pyrimidine -4(5H)-thione (CF33). Ultrastructural studies on P. ultimum treated with CF33 revealed alterations in the normal hyphal shape and, at high concentration, plasmolysis and damage to the wall texture was observed. At 20 μg/ml different vesicles were seen in the cytoplasm: some appeared quite dense, and specific cytochemical reactions indicated that they were most likely peroxysomes; other vesicles seem to be vacuoles of varying content. In some cases there was disintegration of the nuclear envelope. The effects on membrane lipids and interference in protein synthesis are hypothesized as possible mechanism of ...