Institut für ökologische Chemie, Pflanzenanalytik und Vorratsschutz
The aim of subproject 4 within the "Junior Research Group Medicinal Plants - Practice-oriented research for consolidation of the competitiveness of German medicinal plant cultivation and promotion of young scientists (NWG Medicinal Plants)" is to evaluate the fungicidal potential of plant extracts against relevant fungal pathogens in medicinal plant cultivation. On the basis of known structure-activity relationships, the genetic resources of plant species with potential active substances are evaluated with regard to their metabolic diversity and bioactivity in biotests. Often such resources can be found in the cultivated wild relatives of medicinal and aromatic plants. The focus here is initially on various species of the genus of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza) as well as savory and thyme wild types, for whose respective carvacrol types antimycotic effects have already been described.In addition to model experiments in the laboratory, the phytosanitary effects of the plants and plant preparations are investigated in the case of infestation in the greenhouse and, if possible, in the field. Possible positive effects of seed treatment on seed-borne pathogens are also in focus.In the long term, strategies for the cultivation of these plants as a by- or preparatory crop as well as phytosanitary component of flowering mixturesare to be developed. The focus her is laid on the use against red wilt in St. John's wort and anise rust (Puccinia pimpinellae) as well as against downy mildew and Alternaria or Fusarium species relevant for medicinal plant cultivation.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
