Release of an acid phosphatase activity during lily pollen tube growth involves components of the secretory pathway.

An acid phosphatase (acPAse) activity was released during germination and tube growth of pollen of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. By inhibiting components of the secretory pathway, the export of the acPase activity was affected and tube growth stopped. Brefeldin A (1 microM) and cytochalasin D (1 microM), which block the production and transport of secretory vesicles, respectively, inhibited the acPase secretion.

Effect of aflatoxin G1 on germination, growth and metabolic activities of some crop plants.

The effect of different concentrations of aflatoxin G1 on growth and germination of Zea mays and Vicia faba seeds, as well as on some biochemical parameters viz chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein and lipid content of seedlings, were studied. Inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth of maize and broad bean increased with increases in toxin concentration. A reduction in carbohydrates in the shoot systems of maize and broad bean was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in chlorophyll content.

Degradation of chicken feathers by Chrysosporium georgiae.

Using a baiting technique, Chrysosporium georgiae was isolated from chicken feathers. Twenty-eight different fungal isolates were evaluated for their ability to produce keratinase enzymes using a keratin-salt agar medium containing either white chicken feathers or a prepared feather keratin suspension (KS). The Chrysosporium species were able to use keratin and grow at different rates.

Production of fumonisins B1, B 2 and B 3 byFusarium proliferatum Isolated from rye grains.

Using the seed- plate technique, we have isolated a strain ofF. proliferatum from rye grains that produces 3 fumonisins, fumonisin B1 (FB1), FB2 and FB3 on inoculated rice and corn. Inoculated corn and rice were extracted with an aqueous methanol solution and fumonisin concentrations estimated using high performance liquid chromatography.

Isolation of Pythium oligandrum from Egyptian soil and its mycoparasitic effect on Pythium ultimum var. ultimum the damping-off organism of wheat.

Pythium oligandrum Drechsler bearing spherical sporangia with complex subglobose elements was isolated for the first time in Egypt from agricultural field soil cultivated with alfalfa (Trifolium alexandrinum) in El-Minia, Egypt. This fungus was found to be an active bio-control agent against P. ultimum var.