*Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
National Symposium on “Plant Pathology in the Changing Global Scenario” held at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi on February 27–28, 2009
Cinnamal derivatives viz 2-cyano-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid (Ia), ethyl 2-cyano-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoate (IIa), 2-(3-phenylallylidene) malononitrile (IIIa), dimethyl 2-(3-phenylallylidene) malonate (IVa), diethyl 2-(3-phenylallylidene) malonate (Va), ethyl 2-acetyl-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoate (VIa), 2-(3-phenylallylidene) pentane-2,4-dione (VIIa), 2-(3-phenylallylidene) malonamide (VIIIa) were synthesized by condensation of cinnamal-4-acetylaniline with active methylene compounds (I-VIII). The synthesized compounds (Ia-VIIIa) were screened in vitro for their antifungal potential against Alternaria alternata by spore germination inhibition technique at various concentrations. Six of the test compounds showed ED50 value less than 1000 ppm against the fungus. Among these, the compound 2-(3-phenylallylidene) malononitrile (IIIa) has been found to possess promising antifungal activity with ED50 value of 37 ppm which is comparable to that of the standard fungicide, indofil M-45 with ED50 value of 35 ppm.
