Iturin A: a potential new fungicide for stored grains.
The removal of many synthetic fungicides from the market has created a demand for new, environmentally safe fungicides. Iturin A, a cyclic lipopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis, has strong antifungal properties and low mammalian toxicity. To determine the efficacy of this compound as a potential fungicide on stored feed grains, lots of corn, peanuts and cottonseed were treated with varying concentrations of iturin A. The mycoflora of treated seed was assayed along with that of untreated seed and seed treated with fungicides used commercially for planting seed. Fungal species varied considerably in their sensitivity to iturin A. Significant reductions in total mycoflora occurred in most seed lots tested at iturin A concentrations of 50 to 100 ppm.
Klich
M A
MA
Southern Regional Research Center, USDA/ARS, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Arthur
K S
KS
Lax
A R
AR
Bland
J M
JM
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010367:Arachis / Q000382:microbiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D003368:Gossypium / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010455:Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D010571:Pest Control; D012639:Seeds / Q000382:microbiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010455:Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C013579:iturin A