THIOPHENE INTERCONVERSION IN ELICITOR-TREATED ROOTS OF TAGETES-PATULAL

Thiophenes are polyacetylene-related heterocyclic metabolites. Some of these compounds are phototoxic, but the bithiophenes occurring in Tag etes mainly accumulate in the root where photo-activation is not likel y to occur. A cell-free extract from the fungus Fusarium oxysporum ind uced biosynthesis of hydrophilic thiophenes In root cultures and roots of seedlings of Tagetes Patula. The thiophenes formed win partially e xcreted into the culture medium. The excreted thiophenes inhibited fun gal growth in the absence of light and thus may play a role in the bio chemical defense against pathogens.