Fungi, Plants, Insects WASHINGTON, D.C. If the Irish of the 1840 s had known about a fungus called Penicillium cyclopium, the potato famine might never have happened. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant physiologist Hank Cutler has discovered a chemical antibiotic in the fungus that is 95 percent effective in stopping the growth of another fungus that caused the Irish potato blight. Ireland’s potato crop was virtu ally wiped out in 1845-46, causing 1 million Irish to die from starva tion and malnutrition and 1.5 mil lion more to emigrate to the United States and other countries. Cutler, a fungus expert for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, says the antibiotic, cyclopenol, has “great potential as a natural fungicide.” “Cyclopenol is one example of fungal chemicals,” he adds, “that have potential to repel disease- PTO Horsepower, e sure to find one your needs. You’ll find them at work on forms, in parks, nurseries, estate homes and even on construction sites. A 4-wheel drive on most modeli a hefty 3-point hitch. So if you’re looking for workers, look no further than a Kubota tractor. CYL HP 2 12.5* 3 13* 3 15* 3 17* 3 19* 4 22.5* Model 84200 85200 86200 87200 88200 89200 'Manufacturer's estimate Your Kubota Dealer Invites You To Come In And See The Full Line Of Kubota Tractors & Implements causing organisms, regulate plant growth and serve as human drugs similar to penicillin.” Cutler and other agency scien tists have been researching plants and insects, as well as fungi, as sources of a new generation of natural agricultural chemicals. “Natural compounds hold great promise,” he says. “They work against specific targets, can be extremely potent and because they’re biodegradable, don’t pose environmental hazards.” Cutler, working at the agency’s Richard B. Russell Center in Athens, Ga., grows fungi on breakfast cereal in his laboratory. Then he studies the compounds they produce and the effects they have on plants. He says these compounds could be produced in fermentation or serve as models for synthesizing chemicals commercially. “Our findings are preliminary Kubota B and L Series Tractors Choice of Transmission Standard Standard Standard Hydrostatic Future Sources Of Safe Chemicals and industry would have to con duct further studies to confirm them,” he said. “We’re cooperat ing in our research with several chemical companies that are inter ested in what we’ve found. It is possible there will be international competition to produce these chemicals in the future.” Other chemicals Cutler has found with commercial potential: *Cytochalasin H, produced by a •^Season's LICS KUBOTA othing like it on earth" Model CYL PTO HP Choice of Transmission L 2050 3 20* Standard L 2250 3 21* Mechanical shuttle shift L 2550 3 23.5* Mechanical shuttle shift L2SSOGST 3 23.5* Glide shift transmission L 2850 4 27* Mechanical shuttle shift L 3350 4 32* 8 x 8 L 3750 5 36* L 4150 5 40* ig works harder than >ta B and L Series *r. With tractors iging from 10 to 40 Hydraulic shuttle shift Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 10,1988-831 Phomopsis sp. fungus, controlled flowering in six-week-old tobacco seedlings. In field tests, three tenths of an ounce of the com pound in water controlled flower ing in an acre of tobacco. “This has great potential as a growth regulator and could replace costly and time-consuming hand labor in the field,” he said. *6-pcntyl-pyrone, from the fun- “Financing As Low As 4.5% Available Through December 31, 1988” “See The Kubota Dealer Nearest You For Details.” Mifflmbura Hammonlon MIFFLINBURG RODI ° TRACTOR FARM SUPPLY INC. SALES, INC. 717-966-3114 609-561-0141 gus Trichodcrma viride, inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus in laboratory studies. Under cer tain environmental conditions, A. flavus grows on grains and other field crops and produces aflatoxin, a carcinogen. “We believe 6-pcntyl-pyronc has the potential to be sprayed on these crops in the field to suppress the growth of A. flavus,” he said. “This could reduce or eliminate aflatoxins.” PENNSYLVANIA NICARRY - AM rSS,™ EQUIPMENT CO. 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