Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E023
Published online: 22 April 2026
Biological activity of selected heterocyclic compounds in reducing the growth of biotrophic pathogens of cereals
Klaudia Rząd*1, Aleksandra Nucia2, Arkadiusz Matwijczuk1 and Sylwia Okoń2
1 Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: klaudia.rzad@up.edu.pl
Parasitism is a harmful relationship between microorganisms and their host. Parasitic pathogens include biotrophic fungi, which derive energy and nutrients from living plant cells. An example of an obligate biotroph is Blumeria graminis, the cause of powdery mildew, which infects all cereal species and manifests itself with a characteristic white coating. The most numerous group of biotrophic fungi is the order Pucciniales, known as rust fungi. Problems in cereal cultivation related to the presence of fungal pathogens have prompted agriculture to seek new methods of plant protection. Research has shown that pathogens rapidly adapt and acquire resistance to previously used pesticides, limiting their effectiveness. Consequently, efforts have been undertaken to develop new, effective, and safe pesticides. Chemical compounds from various groups, such as coumarins, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, and their derivatives, are currently being analyzed. These substances exhibit potent antifungal properties, inhibiting the growth and development of many pathogens by disrupting metabolic processes and the integrity of fungal cell membranes. Furthermore, these compounds are characterized by good biodegradability and relatively low environmental toxicity, making them promising components of modern fungicides. The biological activity of these compounds was tested in vitro using host-pathogen assays. The substances were dissolved in DMSO and added to an agar medium. Leaf fragments from susceptible cereal varieties (oats, wheat, triticale, barley) were then placed in Petri dishes and infected with fungal spores by spraying them into special inoculation towers. After 10 days of incubation, the degree of leaf infection was assessed. The obtained results indicated that the tested derivatives had varying degrees of influence on the development of biotrophic fungal pathogens. Most of them effectively inhibited fungal growth, and two compounds demonstrated complete (100%) inhibition of their development.
Keywords: 1,3,4-thiadiazoles; Blumeria; coumarins; Puccinia
How to cite
Rząd K., Nucia A., Matwijczuk A., Okoń S., 2026. Biological activity of selected heterocyclic compounds in reducing the growth of biotrophic pathogens of cereals. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E023