Phytotoxins, elicitors and other secondary metabolites from phytopathogenic "blackleg" fungi: structure, phytotoxicity and biosynthesis.

The metabolites produced by the fungal species Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa under different culture conditions, together with their phytotoxic activities are reviewed. In addition, the biosynthetic studies of blackleg metabolites carried out to date are described and suggestions for species reclassification are provided.