Mode of action of herbicidal derivatives of aminomethylenebisphosphonic acid. I. Physiologic activity and inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis

N-Pyridylaminomethylenebisphosphonic acids constitute a class of promising herbicides. Since their mode of action at the cellular level is still poorly understood, we studied the influence of N-pyridylaminomethylenebisphosphonic acids on plant growth, at the whole plant and undifferentiated tissue levels, using seedlings and cell suspension cultures of mono- and dicotyledonous species. These compounds exhibited strong herbicidal properties, being equipotent with the popular herbicide glyphosate. Since they also depressed buckweed anthocyanin biosynthesis, the shikimate pathway could represent a site of action of N-pyridylaminomethylenebisphosphonic acids.

Herbicidal activity of derivatives of 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphonic acid

A series of derivatives of 9‐aminofluoren‐9‐ylphosphonic acid (phosphonic analogues of morphactins) were synthesized and screened for herbicidal activity against Lepidium sativum, Cucumis sativus and Lycopersicon esculentum. Ethyl 9‐(N‐alkylamino)fluoren‐9‐yl(phenyl)phosphinates appeared to be equipotent with glyphosate and thus may be recognized as new lead compounds for further structural modifications.

Effects of aminophosphates and their combinations with glyphosate on the growth ofLepidium sativumL. andCucumis sativusL.

Herbicidally Active Derivatives of Aminomethylenebis-Phosphonic Acid-Mode of Action and Structure - Activity Relationship

Abstract: (N-pyridylamino)methylenebisphosphonates exhibit strong herbicidal activity which may be reversed by supplementation of the growth media with aromatic amino acids. They appeare to be the inhibitors of aromatic amino acids biosynthesis acting as inhibitors of DAHP synthase the first enzyme of shikimate pathway. Over 40 analogues of these acids were synthesized in order to determine the structure-activity relationship.