PLANT-DERIVED NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM THE AMERICAN CONTINENT FOR THE CONTROL OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI: A REVIEW

*Various pathogenic microorganisms affect plants. However, most diseases are caused by fungi, which have an enormous reproductive capacity and possess metabolic mechanisms capable to develop resistance to commercial fungicides. Fungi produce mycotoxins on crops and this represents a considerable risk to human and animal health. The most important genera of phytopathogenic fungi of the American continent are: Aspergillus, Alternaria, Botrytis, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Phytophthora, Penicillium and Pythium, among others. Different strategies have been used for phytopatogenic fungi control, mainly by using synthetic fungicides. Currently, a great deal of attention has been paid towards exploitation of higher plant products as an innovative alternative in crops protection. The use of plant derived natural products has many advantages, such as little or no harmful side effects, rare cases of resistance, long-term control and completely or substantially eliminates the use of synthetic fungicides. Several plants belonging to the Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae, Papilionacea, Poaceae, Verbenaceae, families, have showed fungicide potential. Therefore, this review addresses occurrence of the most important phytopatogenic fungi and the current state of research regarding the potential of vegetable biodiversity in the development of plant derived natural products for the management of these pathogens in the American continent.