Ethyl acetate produced by Ceratocystis paradoxa and C. adiposum and its role in the inhibition of the germination of sugarcane buds

A phytotoxic substance, identified as ethyl acetate by gas chromatography and physical properties, was isolated from the sugarcane tissue infected by Ceratocystis paradoxa and C. adiposum. Ethyl acetate in the diseased tissue could reach 1% by volume and was sufficient to inhibit the germination of sugarcane buds. The saturated vapor of ethyl acetate could kill seed cane buds after 1 hour exposure. In solution the lethal concentration of ethyl acetate was 1:100.In sugarcane medium, ethyl acetate could be detected after 24-hour incubation. More ethyl acetate was produced in young than in old sugarcane tissue. Both fungi grew better at 28 °C but produced more ethyl acetate at 20 °C, possibly explaining why pineapple disease was serious at the lower temperature. Ethyl acetate also could be isolated from soil containing diseased plant material.