Examination of genetic lines of as potential sources of organic agricultural pest control agents.

is a Mediterranean shrub cultivated in Israel for traditional, ceremonial use only, with more than 98 % of the crop biomass, equivalent to 26-27 tons per ha per annum, considered agricultural waste. Therefore, potentially profitable use for this excess is being highly sought. As is also known for its unique terpene and terpenoid content, this work evaluated the impact of essential oil (EO) extracted from several cultivars on storage insects, nematodes, fungi, and pathogens.

Phenotypic Characterization of Postharvest Fruit Qualities in Astringent and Non-astringent Persimmon () Cultivars.

Phenotypic characterization of postharvest traits is essential for the breeding of high-quality fruits. To compare postharvest traits of different genetic lines, it is essential to use a reference point during fruit development that will be common to all the lines. In this study, we employed a non-destructive parameter of chlorophyll levels to establish a similar physiological age and compared several postharvest traits of ten astringent and seven non-astringent persimmon cultivars.

The effect of the plant cell inhibitor propachlor (alpha-chloro-N-isopropyl-acetanilide) on the cell cycle of L1210 cells as evaluated by flow cytometry.

Previously it was reported that the herbicide propachlor (alpha-chloro-N-isopropyl-acetanilide) has a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of L1210 mouse leukemia cells. It is now demonstrated that propachlor treatment causes L1210 cells to accumulate in the G1 phase as determined by flow cytometric analysis. This effect of propachlor is dose-dependent with more than 90% of G1 cells accumulating at 10 microM.

Characterization of the inhibitory effects of the phytotoxic agent propachlor (alpha-chloro-N-isopropyl-acetanilide), on L1210 cell proliferation.

We recently reported that a variety of phytotoxic compounds are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian tumor cells. We now report that an additional herbicide, propachlor (alpha-chloro-N-isopropyl-acetanilide), has a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of L1210 mouse leukemia cells. When tested in vitro against L1210 cells, propachlor displayed an ID50 on cell proliferation of less than 3 x 10(-7) M.

Effect of inhibitors of plant cell division on mammalian tumor cells in vitro.

We studied the activity of 14 compounds, all of which have been shown to interfere in plant cell division, in two animal tumor cell cultures, EL-4 and L1210. Four compounds [propham, chlorpropham, bensulide S-(O,O-diisopropylphosphorodithioate) ester of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide), and siduron] had a 50% inhibitory dose less than 10(-4) M; six [2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, bromacil, (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, naptalam, and (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid] had a 50% inhibitory dose between 10(-4) and 10(-3) M, and the remaining four 2,3:4,6-di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonate, eptam, maleic hydrazide, and 4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N,-dipropylaniline] had a 50% inhibitory dose at higher than 10(-3) M. There was a significant correlation between the effect on the two cell lines as well as between the inhibition of cell proliferation and that of thymidine and leucine uptake.

Multistage disruption of protoplasts by dikegulac.

Dikegulac (2,3:4,6 di-o-isopropylidine-2-keto-I-gulonate) is a growth regulator used to differentially kill terminal apices, and it analogously inhibits basic metabolic functions in dividing cells, but not stationary cells, in suspension culture. This report demonstrates an analogous situation in isolated tobacco protoplasts. At the lowest concentrations, dikegulac partially suppresses division of the protoplasts.

Cell suspensions for kinetic studies of inhibitor action : The rapid initial action of dikegulac on membrane properties in situ.

Because of uniformity and small distances for transport, cell suspensions offer a system for rapid measurements of initial reactions of phytotoxic compounds. We had previously shown that a growth regulator, dikegulac (2,3:4,6 di-o-isopropylidine-2-keto-L-gulonate) inhibits amino acid incorporation into proteins. Using Solanum nigrum suspension cultures, it was found that dikegulac rapidly inhibits amino acid uptake into cells, before inhibiting incorporation, with time points starting at a few minutes, and kinetics that can be extrapolated back to time zero.

Differential inhibition by dikegulac of dividing and stationary cells in in vitro cultures.

Dikegulac sodium 2,3:4,6 di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonate) is a translocatable agent used for chemically 'pinching' terminal buds to break apical dominance. It does not inhibit mature leaves. Cell culture systems were developed and used to ascertain whether or not it differentially inhibits green tissue and whether or not it differentially inhibits stationary cells at the concentrations used.