This compound has two biological functions.
First, it has antifungal properties at defined
concentration; it inhibits the mycelial growth of a number of
pathogenic fungi such as Pythium aphanidermatum and Fusarium
oxysporum (El Ghaouth et al., 1994; El Hassni et al., 2004) and
also spore germination (Hadwiger and Beckman, 1980).
Second,
it acts as a potent inducer of plant resistance against pathogens
(Benhamou and Thériault, 1992; El Ghaouth et al., 1994)