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ABSTRACT
The herbicide Sandoz 6706 (metflurazon) inhibits carotene biosynthesis and allows photobleaching of chlorophyll in light-grown green plants. To explore its effects in non-photosynthetic organisms, the influence of metflurazon on pigmentation of nine soil-inhabiting fungi, representing a broad taxonomic spectrum, was investigated. Metflurazon treatment reduced observable intensity of pigmentation in many of these fungi. In the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis, herbicide treatment decreased β-carotene concentrations and increased the levels of phytoene, a colorless precursor of β-carotene. These results suggest that, in this yeast, metflurazon either inhibits a phytoene dehydrogenase or prevents end-product inhibition of phytoene production. Thus, one mechanism of action of the herbicide in R. glutinis is similar to that proposed for some photosynthetic organisms.