Phytotoxins produced by pathogenic fungi of agrarian plants

This review, covering the literature from 1965 to present (2018), treats of phytotoxins produced by fungi responsible of heavy diseases of important agrarian crops, including legumes, cereals, fruit trees, vegetables and crops for oil seed production. The symptoms induced on the infected plants are reported and the heavy economical losses caused by the diseases were also described. The chemical characterization and biological activity of the fungal phytotoxins, belonging to the different classes of natural compounds, is reported. In some cases, the probable role played by phytotoxins in the induction of plant disease symptoms is described as well as the results of structure–activity relationship and mode of action studies. The potential application in agriculture and in medicine for some of them is also discussed highlighting the increase in safety and the practical advantages.