Unusual plant‐growth regulators from microorganisms

Abstract

Microorganisms produce a wide assortment of secondary metabolites which may be used to control growth and development of plants. These natural products are diverse in structure and range from oligopeptides to complex and simple nonamino acid molecules. Each has unique properties, but in general they have high specific activity, a narrow spectrum of activity, and are biodegradable. Each molecule has the potential for synthetic modification by two routes. One is to derivatize the natural product; the other is to synthesize simpler structures which are analogs of the natural product. Thus, the spectrum of activity may be suitably altered. Fermentation products and their derivatives are logical candidates for the next generation of agrochemicals. Examples of microbial secondary metabolites and their structures, relative to biological activity, are discussed.