[Effect of phosphate and inhibitors of protein synthesis on the growth and tentoxin production of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler].

The synthesis of a phytotoxic substance, tentoxin, by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler is negatively controlled by inorganic phosphate. We show here that the influence of phosphate on the production of this secondary metabolite is time-dependent. By using inhibitors of protein synthesis (p-fluorphenylalanine, cycloheximide) together with a resuspension technique, attempts were made to find out when the enzymes responsible for tentoxin synthesis are formed.