Herbicide Classes in Development: Mode of Action, Targets, Genetic Engineering, Chemistry

This volume presents the progress made in the study of the mode of action of phytotoxic compounds that have been developed as herbicides in the past. The 13 chapters are written by experts in herbicide research and development, chemists, biochemists and plant physiologists. The biochemistry of the target enzymes is described together with model assays, molecular genetics and special reference to transgenic herbicide-resistant crops. Additional chapters deal with synthetic chemical pathways, chirality effects found in certain herbicide classes and transcuticular pesticide penetration.

Table of Contents:
1 Acetolactate Synthase Inhibitors.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Acetolactate Synthase-Inhibiting Herbicides Actively Developed in the Late 1990s.- 1.3 Discovery of Pyrimidinyl Carboxy Herbicides (Pyrimidinylsalicylate Class Herbicides).- 1.4 Herbicidal Activity of Pyrimidinyl Carboxy Herbicides.- 1.5 Physiological Plant Response to Pyrimidinyl Carboxy Herbicides.- 1.6 Mode of Action and Selectivity of Pyrimidinyl Carboxy Herbicides.- 1.7 Biological Characteristics of the Target Enzyme.- 1.8 Inhibition Mechanism of the Target Enzyme by Pyrimidinyl Carboxy Herbicides.- 1.9 Molecular Genetics of Target Enzyme.- References.- 2 Bleaching Herbicides: Action Mechanism in Carotenoid Biosynthesis, Structural Requirements and Engineering of Resistance.- 2.1 Herbicidal Effect and Mode of Action.- 2.2 Interaction of Inhibitors with Carotene Desaturation.- 2.3 Structural Requirements for an Inhibitor of Phytoene Desaturase.- 2.4 Strategies for Genetic Engineering of Herbicide Resistance by Modification of the Carotenogenic Pathway.- 2.5 Conclusion and Perspectives.- References.- 3 Inhibitors of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis (Glyphosate).- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Symptoms of Herbicidal Activity.- 3.3 Mode of Action of Glyphosate.- 3.4 Mechanisms for Resistance and Tolerance to Glyphosate.- 3.5 Summary.- References.- 4 Inhibitors of Glutamine Synthetase.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Plant Glutamine Synthetase Isoforms and Their Function.- 4.3 Glutamine Synthetase Inhibitors.- 4.4 Discovery of the Herbicidal Activity of Phosphinothricin and Bialaphos.- 4.5 Mode of Glutamine Synthetase Inhibition.- 4.6 Effects of Glutamine Synthetase Inhibitors in Plants.- 4.7 Attempts to Generate Selectivity for Glufosinate.- References.- 5 Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Inhibitors.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Symptoms of Herbicidal Activity.- 5.3 Biochemical Characteristics of the Target Enzyme.- 5.4 Mode of Action of Cyclohexanedione and Aryloxyphenoxypropanoate Herbicides.- 5.5 Assays for Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Activity.- 5.6 Molecular Genetics of Resistance to Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Inhibitors.- References.- 6 Inhibitors of Biosynthesis of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The Model System.- 6.3 Very Long-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Inhibition in Intact Leaves.- 6.4 The Cell-Free Elongase System.- 6.5 Assumptions of the Reaction Mechanism.- 6.6 Considerations on Resistance.- References.- 7 Cellulose Biosynthesis Inhibitor Herbicides.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Mode of Action Studies.- 7.3 Resistant Biotypes.- 7.4 Habituation.- 7.5 The Unusual Case of Quinclorac.- 7.6 Conspectus.- References.- 8 Inhibitors of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase: A Brief Update.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors and Their Mode of Action.- 8.3 Biochemical Characterization of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase.- 8.4 Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Genes and Transgenic Herbicide-Resistant Plants.- 8.5 Recent Advances in QSAR Studies.- 8.6 Antioxidative Stress Responses of Plants to Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors.- References.- 9 Genetic Engineering of Herbicide-Resistant Plants.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Strategy.- 9.3 Cloning of the Genes.- 9.4 Gene Transfer.- 9.5 Vector Constructs.- 9.6 Conclusions.- References.- 10 Major Synthetic Routes for Modern Herbicide Classes and Agrochemical Characteristics.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Acetolactate Synthase Inhibitors.- 10.3 Carotenogenesis Inhibitors.- 10.4 Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitors.- 10.5 Glutamine Synthetase Inhibitors.- 10.6 Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACCase) Inhibitors.- 10.7 Very Long-Chain Fatty Acids Biosynthesis Inhibitors.- 10.8 Cellulose Biosynthesis Inhibitors.- 10.9 Protoporphyrinogen-IX Oxidase Inhibitors.- 10.10 Notes.- Patent Literature.- 11 Diverse Response of Plants Towards Chiral Phytotoxic Chemicals.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Diverse Response of Optically Active Herbicides.- 11.3 Diverse Response of Plants Through Chirality.- 11.4 Chirality and Activity Relationship.- References.- 12 Transcuticular Penetration of Foliar-Applied Pesticides - Its Analysis by a Logistic-Kinetic Penetration Model.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Overview.- 12.3 Logistic-Kinetic Transcuticular Penetration Model of Foliar-Applied Pesticides.- 12.4 Parameters and Factors Governing Transcuticular Penetration Kinetics of Foliar-Applied Pesticides.- 12.5 Effects of Adjuvants on Transcuticular Penetration Kinetics of Foliar-Applied Pesticides.- 12.6 Discussion and Conclusions.- References.- 13 Structure-Activity Correlation of Very Long-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitors.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Very Long-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Inhibition by Herbicides.- 13.3 Very Long-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Inhibition by Thenylchlor and Its Analogs.- 13.4 Action of Cafenstrole and its Analogs.- 13.5 Action of Indanofan and its Analogs.- 13.6 Outlook.- References.