Radiochemical distribution and decline studies with bromoxynil octanoate in wheat

Bromoxynil octanoate labelled with ¹⁴C in the ring or in the cyano-group was applied to wheat seedlings at the two-leaf or fully-tillered stage and at rates equivalent to up to 16 oz a.i./acre. The plants were grown either in environmental chambers under controlled conditions for up to 28 days, or outdoors under field conditions for various periods up to harvest. Initially, elimination of radioactivity occurred more rapidly with bromoxynil-cyano-[¹⁴C]-octanoate than with bromoxynil-ring-[¹⁴C]-octanoate, indicating metabolic attack on the cyano group. Under outdoor conditions with ring-[¹⁴C]-herbicide applied at the two-leaf stage, only 12% of the radioactivity was retained after 28 days, principally in the treated leaves. When application was made at fully-tillered stage, about 33% of the ¹⁴C was retained after 56 days, almost entirely in the treated senescent leaves at the base of the plant. There was very little translocation of the herbicide or of any major metabolite. The level of radioactivity in harvested grain and in straw more than 7.5 cm above the ground was very low, even after very late application of ring-[¹⁴C]-labelled herbicide. The amount of bromoxynil octanoate, together with any metabolite retaining part of the aromatic ring, did not collectively exceed the equivalent of approx. 0.01 parts/million bromoxynil octanoate.     

Binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G causing root rot in yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in Brazil

A new rot caused by a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. affecting the tuberous root cortex of the domesticated yacon ( Smallanthus sonchifolius ) has been observed in Brazil. Isolates of a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. were collected from roots with rot symptoms and characterized by the number of nuclei per cell, hyphal anastomosis, RAPD molecular markers, ITS-5·8S rDNA sequence and pathogenicity tests. All isolates had a mean of 1·9–2·2 nuclei per cell and anastomosed with the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G-tester strain. RAPD analysis was carried out between 11 isolates recovered from yacon and 11 AG (A, Ba, Bb, Bo, C, D, F, G, O, P, Q) standard testers of binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. Genetic similarities of 94·8–100% were observed among isolates of the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and all isolates were genetically more closely related to the AG G tester than other strains according to upgma analysis using RAPD markers. Homologies of complete ITS nucleotide sequences were 100% between binucleate isolates of Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and the AG G tester. According to pathogenicity tests, the isolates caused typical rot symptoms of yacon tubers 90 days after inoculation     

Efficacy of Different Control Methods Applied Separately and in Combination in Managing Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Common Beans

Investigations on the efficacy of various methods of managing root-knot nematodes in microplots and under field conditions revealed that soil solarization, Furadan 5G and Tagetes erecta applied separately or in combination with other control methods, were the most effective in reducing the numbers of three root-knot nematodes, and root gall and egg mass indices. These management methods also resulted in significant increases (P0.05) in number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight, and increased seed yield by up to 96.7 percent. Farmyard manure and Crotalaria ochroleuca were the least effective treatments. The use of T. erecta was the most economical root-knot nematode control method.     

Symptome von Bormangel und Borüberschuß bei Hibiscus esculentus

Boron deficiency and Boron toxicity in Hibiscus esculentus The development of symptoms in Okra under conditions of B-deficiency and B-toxicity was observed. It was compared if the symptoms correspond with the B-contents and the growth of the plants. Symptoms of Boron deficiency in Okra are the same as in the other annual dicotyledons. The first visible microscopical symptom is a disturbance in the cambium region. Characteristic is an enlargement of the cambium. New divided cells do not differentiate. Visual symptoms are breaking of stems and petioles, thickening of these organs, cracking, dying of the tips and falling of buds. With a periodic supply of Boron correlations between Boron content and deficiency symptoms were not found. In the B-toxicity range small yellow chlorosis developed on the margins of the older leaves. These symptoms are not to be used for diagnosis. Boron contents higher than 72 μg B/g DM gave a better measure for B-toxicity. Growth and development of symptoms were in agreement with the high Boron contents.     

Isolation and structure of higher diamondoids,nanometer-sized diamond molecules

We exploited the exceptional thermal stability and diverse molecular shapes of higher diamondoids (C22 and higher polymantanes) to isolate them from petroleum. Molecules containing 4 to 11 diamond-crystal cages were isolated and crystallized, and we obtained single-crystal x-ray structures for representatives from three families. Rigidity, strength, remarkable assortments of three- dimensional shapes, including resolvable chiral forms, and multiple, readily derivatizable attachment sites make them valuable nanometer-size molecular building blocks.     

Collaborative study of a column chromatographic method for bendroflumethizide and cyclothiazide.

Bendroflumethiazide and cyclothiazide are eluted from a sodium carbonate column with chloroform-acetic acid (98+2) and are measured directly by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The method was collaboratively studied by 8 analysts. The average per cent recovery and standard deviations for simulated mixes of bendroflumethiazide and cyclothiazide were 99.61+/-0.78 and 99.3+/-1.97. The method has been adopted as official first action for the determination of bendroflumethiazide.     

Chitinase production by an Arthrobacter sp. lysing cells of Fusarium roseum

An Arthrobacter sp. which actively lysed Fusarium roseum was found to liberate chitinase (E.C. 3.2-1.14, chitin glycanohydrolase), an enzyme essential for the hydrolysis of chitin, a major component of fusarial hyphal walls. Factors involved in the production of chitinase were investigated by modifying culture conditions and assaying for enzyme activity. Production occurred on colloidal chitin as well as on native chitin supplemented with yeast extract or peptone. Enzyme production paralleled growth; liberation of enzyme took place during the log phase with the maximum yield being obtained at the stationary phase. Addition of the non-ionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) increased enzyme yield. An inverse relationship was found between the amount of enzyme produced and the quantity of n-acetyl-glucosamine liberated. The enzyme was generally not produced when grown on various other carbohydrates. These findings suggest that chitinase is inducible and that chitin breakdown is regulated by a repressor-inducer mechanism.Initial hydrolysis rates of colloidal chitin were proportional to the concentration of chitinase used. Optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 4.9 and 50°C, respectively. Purification of the chitinase was obtained by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation followed by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex chromatography, achieving a 12-fold increase in specific activity.