Allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and different moisture conditions

The allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [ Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and the effect of water stress on the growth and allelopathic activity of this plant were investigated. Seed germination, shoot growth and root growth of tested plant species in soil collected from a field where Mexican sunflower had been grown for 5 years were less than those in soil from an area without the plant. Growth of young leaves, mature leaves, senescent leaves, stem and roots of Mexican sunflower was reduced with decrease in soil moisture level. The allelopathic activity of water extracts (per dry weight of starting material) from each part of the plants grown at low soil moisture levels was greater than that of the water extracts from the same part of the plants grown at high soil moisture levels. The allelopathic activity was found in the soil from the pots previously planted with Mexican sunflower to a similar extent (per plant) at different soil moisture levels. These results suggested that, in the field, under water stress conditions, the growth of Mexican sunflower was reduced but the plants contained a greater amount of allelopathic substance(s) per dry weight than in the absence of water stress. It was considered that allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower in soil was maintained to a similar extent under various soil moisture conditions in natural fields.     

AMELIORATION OF ZINC DEFICIENCY OF CORN IN CALCAREOUS SOILS OF THAILAND: ZINC SOURCES AND APPLICATION METHODS

A variety of zinc (Zn) fertilizer sources are applied with varied responses on calcareous soils in Thailand. Seed treatment is an alternative method to deliver Zn to corn and alleviate Zn deficiency. To address this Zn delivery methods we conducted greenhouse studies on corn grown in three calcareous soils of Thailand to three Zn fertilizer sources [zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄), Zn-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Zn citrate]. We also evaluated effectiveness of soaking corn seed in three concentrations of ZnSO₄ (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6%) prior to planting compared to soil applied methods. Applications of zinc increased the growth, dry matter yield and zinc uptake of corn with few differences observed among the types of fertilizers. Seed soaking with ZnSO₄ solution also increased Zn uptake, growth rate and yield comparable to soil-applied Zn. Seed soaking prior to planting is an effective and efficient method to supply Zn to corn grown in Zn deficient calcareous soils of Thailand.     

Drimane Sesquiterpene-Conjugated Amino Acids from a Marine Isolate of the Fungus Talaromyces minioluteus (Penicillium Minioluteum)

Four new sesquiterpene lactones (3, 4, 6 and 7) and three known compounds, purpuride (1), berkedrimane B (2) and purpuride B (5), were isolated from the marine fungus, Talaromyces minioluteus (Penicillium minioluteum). New compounds were drimane sesquiterpenes conjugated with N-acetyl-l-valine, and their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, as well as by single crystal X-ray analysis. The isolated compounds could not inhibit the apoptosis-regulating enzyme, caspase-3, while three of the compounds (2, 3 and 7) exhibited weak cytotoxic activity.     

Phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in soil and concentration of its hydrolysed metabolite DMPA in soil water

The relationship between the fate of clomeprop in soil and its phytotoxic activity on the growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings was investigated in the laboratory. The phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in sea sand was much higher than in non-autoclaved soil, and the phytotoxic activity in non-autoclaved soil was higher than in autoclaved soil. The phytotoxic activity of 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propionic acid (DMPA), a hydrolysed metabolite of clomeprop, was higher than that of the latter under both soil conditions. Clomeprop was adsorbed on soil to a greater extent than DMPA. The concentration of clomeprop in soil water of non-autoclaved soil decreased with increase of the DMPA concentration in the soil water in a time-dependent manner. It is suggested that the phytotoxic activity of clomeprop applied to soil is induced mostly by the DMPA concentration in soil water after hydrolytic degradation by soil microbes. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry