ALBERT

Notes: The effect of repeated applications of 2,4-D and MCPA in a long-term field experiment on their subsequent degradation was investigated. The herbicides had been applied annually since 1954, Comparisons were made with plots treated once and then retreated the following year. Repealed applications of the two herbicides resulted in a reduction in degradation lime from 10 weeks for 2,4-D and 20 weeks for MCPA after one application to 4 and 7 weeks respectively after 19 years of annual application. In spite of an increased capability of the soil microflora lo degrade 2,4-D and MCPA 9 months after a previous treatment. no change in numbers of organisms capable of utilizing the substances as carbon sources were found in treated plots as compared with the control. It is obvious that there is a cross adaptation between 2,4-D and MCPA. It seems most likely that two different ‘enrichment’ been induced, each capable of decomposing both herbicides, but with different efficiencies.Effet d'applications répétée de 2,4-D et de MCPA sur leur degradation dans le solL'effet d'applications répétée de 2.4-D et de MCPA sur leur degradation uléerieure a étéétudié dans une expérience au champ de longue durée. Les herbicides ont été appliqués chaque année depuis 1954. Des comparaisons ont été effectuées avec des parcelles traiées une fois et traitées à nouveau l'année suivante. Les applications répétées des deux herbicides ont provoqué une réduction du temps de dégradation qui est passé de 10 semaines pour le 2,4-D et 20 semaines pour le MCPA après une seule application, à 4 et 7 semaines respectivement, après 19 années d'applications annuelles. En dépit d'une capacité accrue de la microflore du sol à dégrader le 2.4-D et le MCPA, neuf mois après un traitement préalable, aucun changement n'a été constaté dans le nombre des organismes capables d'utiliser les produits comme sources de carbone dans les parcelles traitées, par rapport au témoin. II est évident qu'il y a une adaptation croisée entre le 2,4-D et le MCPA. II apparait très probable que deux ‘enrichissements’ de Hores ont été induits, chacun d'eux étant capable de décomposer les deux herbicides mais avec des efficacités différentes. Die Wirkung wiederholter Behandlungen von 2.4- D und MCPA auf ihren Abbau im Boden Die Wirkung wiederholter Anwendungen von 2,4-D und MCPA auf ihren Abbau wurden in einem Freiland-Versuch untersucht. Die Herbizide wurden jährlich, sell 1954 ange-wendet. Es wurden Vergleiche mil Parzellen angcstellt, die zum erstenmal und im folgenden Jahr nochrnaK bchandelt worden waren. Die widerholien Behandlungen mit den beiden Herbiziden bewirkte elne Verringerung der Ab-bauzeit von 10 Wochen fur 2,4-D und 20 Wochen fiir MCPA nach einer Behandlung, auf 4 bzw. 7 Wochen nach 19 Jahren jahrlicher Anwendung. Trotz der erhohten Ffihigkeit der Bodenmikroflora 2,4-D und MCPA neun Monate nach einer vorhergehenden Behandlung abzubauen, war die Zahl der Organismen, die diese Herbizide als Kohlensloffquelle verwerten konnen, in den behandelten und unbehandelten Parzellen gleich gross. Zwischen 2.4-D und MCPA existiert ofVensichtlich elne Kreuz-Adaplalion. Sehr wahrscheinlich wurden zwei versehiedene ‘enrichment’-Floren induziert, von der jede in der Lage ist beide Herbizide, aber mit unterschiedlicher Effizienz, Hbzubauen.

Notes: The effects of soil temperature and soil moisture content on the rate of simazine degradation were measured in the laboratory in soils from sixteen sites located in several different countries. First-order half-lives under standard incubation conditions were significantly correlated with clay content, organic carbon content and soil pH in a multiple linear regression. The temperature dependence of degradation was similar in the different soils whereas the moisture dependence showed considerable variation between soils. Persistence of simazine was also measured in the same soils in the field and at live additional sites. Weather records from the different sites for the periods of the Held experiments were used in conjunction with constants derived from the laboratory data in a computer program to simulate persistence in the field. In general, the model overestimated residues in the field. About half of the calculated residues were within 25% of those observed, an accuracy sufficient for practical purposes, but on several occasions the discrepancies between calculated and observed residues were greater than 50%. Possible reasons for the discrepancies and requirements for further experiments are discussed.

Notes: Detoxification of glyphosate in not-autoclaved and autoclaved soils was followed by bioassay with wheat. Comparisons are made with detoxification of MCPA under similar conditions followed by bioassay with spring rape. The well known pattern for microbial metabolism of MCPA with a ‘lag’-phase preceding the rapid degradation was shown. The initial rapid inactivation of glyphosate is by adsorption, but the results also clearly indicate that the further disappearance of activity mainly depends on microbial degradation. Glyphosate does not seem to sustain microbial growth, which indicates that it is degraded by co-metabolism. In autoclaved soil the possibility of a slight chemical degradation or an adsorption that becomes stronger with time could not be excluded.

Notes: Summary A double-layer agar method was developed for screening microorganisms producing protease inhibitors. After colonies were grown on skim-milk agar, an agar containing sterile protease was poured onto the bottom layer. After incubation the skim-milk agar turned transparent except around colonies producing protease inhibitors. The frequency of such organisms in samples of soil, manure, and hay was studied. 27 of more than 10 000 colonies showed a significant protease-inhibiting capacity. One organism with a high trypsin-inhibiting capacity was identified as Streptomyces violascens (Preobrazhenskaya and Sveshnikova) Pridham et al. and selected for further studies.

Notes: Summary Production of protease inhibitors from Streptomyces violascens U 10 600 was studied in quiescent flasks, shake flasks, and fermentors. A starting pH in the medium between pH 6 and 7 was the most favourable for the process. Both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors were produced. Maximum inhibitor activity was attained after 3 days of cultivation in a protein powder medium at 18°C with pH control to pH 5 during the latter part of the process.

Notes: Summary Two protease inhibitors from the culture fluid of Streptomyces violascens U 10600 have been purified with a method including freeze-drying, methanol extraction, dialysis, and ultrafiltration. By gel filtration on Sephadex G-15 a separation in two active inhibitors, one of trypsin and one of chymotrypsin, was made. The inhibitors were stable at 100°C, pH 5, for 20 min and at 24°C between pH 1.8 to 9.7. Both inhibitors were dialysable. They had no bacteriostatic or fungistatic effects. The trypsin inhibitor inhibited also papain and proteases from Aspergillus oryzae, Alternaria tenuissima, Entomophthora coronata, and to some extent Gibberella fujikuroi, but not chymotrypsin, kallikrein, ficin, or pepsin. The chymotrypsin inhibitor inhibited also papain and proteases from Aspergillus oryzae, Alternaria tenuissima, and Gibberella fujikuroi, but not trypsin, kallikrein, ficin, pepsin, or protease from Entomophthora coronata.