Modification of alternan by dextranase

Alternan is a unique glucan with a backbone structure of alternating α-(1 → 6) and α-(1 → 3) linkages. Previously, we isolated strains of Penicillium sp. that modify native, high molecular weight alternan in a novel bioconversion process to a lower molecular weight form with solution viscosity properties similar to those of commercial gum arabic. The mechanism of this modification was unknown. Here, we report that these Penicillium sp. strains secrete dextranase during germination on alternan. Furthermore, alternan is modified in vitro by commercial dextranases, and dextranase-modified alternan appears to be identical to bioconversion-modified alternan. This is surprising, since alternan has long been considered to be resistant to dextranase. Results suggest that native alternan may have localized regions of consecutive α-(1 → 6) linkages that serve as substrates for dextranase. Dextranase treatment of native alternan, particularly with GRAS enzymes, may have practical advantages for the production of modified alternan as a gum arabic substitute. U.S. Department of Agriculture—Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Imazalil resistantPenicillium isolates from Spanish apple packinghouses

Imazalil tolerant isolates ofPenicillium spp. were recovered from sampling natural spore populations in storage rooms and apples collected from packinghouses in Lleida (Spain). ThePenicillium resistant strains belong to the speciesP. cyaneofulvum, P. variabile, P. rugulosum, P. minioluteum andP. pinophilum. 85% of the tested strains were resistant to imazalil in final concentrations of imazalil ranging from 4,500 µg/ml to 11,000 µg/ml. The resistance of these moulds to this fungicide was constant during successive subcultures. 89% ofPenicillium studied strains produced decay in the determination of parasitic fitness at 10 days.     

广陈皮外源真菌的组成及产毒真菌分析

[背景]广陈皮为药食同源中药材,在高温、高湿且贮存不当的条件下容易发霉,从而产生毒素,严重威胁陈皮的质量安全.[目的]分析广陈皮表面外源真菌的组成及其产生毒素的真菌.[方法]采用平板稀释法分离广陈皮表面外源真菌,利用分生孢子形态特征及DNA序列分析进行真菌鉴定,采用高效液相色谱-三重串联四极杆质谱联用技术对青霉属和曲霉...     

Occurrence of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in Lebanese cultivated wheat

An extensive survey of filamentous fungi isolated from wheat grown and consumed in Lebanon and their capacity to produce aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was conducted to assess fungi potential for producing these toxins in wheat. From the 468 samples of wheat kernel, collected at preharvest stage from different locations during 2008 and 2009 cultivation seasons, 3,260 fungi strains were isolated with 49.4% belonging to Penicillium spp. and 31.2% belonging to Aspergillus spp. Penicillium spp. was detected on wheat samples with a high amount of P. verrucosum (37.0%). Among the different Aspergillus spp. isolated, A. niger aggregate was predominant and constituted 37.3%. whereas the isolation rate of A. flavus and A. ochraceus was 32.2 and 25.6%, respectively. The ability to produce OTA and AFB₁ by isolates belonging to Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). It was found that 57.0% of Penicillium spp. and 80% of A. ochraceus isolates tested produced OTA, respectively, at maximum concentrations of 53 and 65 μg/g CYA. As for the aflatoxinogenic ability, 45.3% of A. flavus produced AFB₁, with maximum concentration of 40 μg/g CYA. A total of 156 wheat samples were analyzed for the levels of OTA and AFB₁ by HPLC-FLD. The results showed that 23.7% were contaminated with OTA, at a concentration higher than 3 μg/kg and 35.2% of these samples were contaminated with AFB₁ at concentration higher than 2 μg/kg. The risks originating from toxin levels in wheat produced in Lebanon should be monitored to prevent their harmful effects on public health.     

Effects of Penicillium extracts on germination vigour in subsequent seedling growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Penicillium spp. are well known to produce a variety of beneficial metabolites for plant growth and survival, as well as they defend their hosts from attack of certain pathogens. In this study, effects of culture filtrate of different Penicillium spp. were tested on tomato seeds. On the whole, presoaking of seeds in the filtrates of the nine Penicillium isolates tested significantly increased seed germination when compared with the control seeds. Cultural extracts of P. expansum and P. bilaii were highly effective in growth promotion up to 90%. It was also observed that P. implicatum and P. oxalicum significantly enhanced the root growth in tomato seedling as compared to other species. In case of shoot length, P. verrucosum (3.38 cm), P. granulatum (2.81 cm) and P. implicatum (2.62 cm) were effective. P. implicatum was quite promising in increasing shoot and root length in tomato seedlings, while P. simplicissimum and P. citrinum were less effective on seedling growth. The plant growth-promoting ability of Penicillium strains may help in growth promotion in other plants and crops. Penicillium spp. are already known for producing various mycotoxins and enzymes. Plant growth-promoting ability of Penicillium spp. will open new aspects of research and investigations. The role of Penicillium spp. in tomato plant growth requires further exploration.     

Insoluble glucans from planktonic and biofilm cultures of mutants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leuconostoc mesenteroides</Emphasis> NRRL B-1355

Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NRRL B-1355 produces the soluble exopolysaccharides alternan and dextran in planktonic cultures. Mutants of this strain are available that are deficient in the production of alternan, dextran, or both. Our recent work demonstrated that biofilms from mutant strains contained insoluble polysaccharides. We now find that the insoluble polysaccharides are composed of d-glucose polymers with contiguous sequences of α(1→3) and α(1→6) linkages. In addition, planktonic cultures of the wild type also produce this insoluble mixture in association with the cell mass. This material is similar to the insoluble glucan matrix known as mutan formed by cariogenic strains of streptococci. The production of insoluble mutan-like glucans may be more widespread among Leuconostoc spp. than previously recognized. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Penicillium Mycobiota in Arctic Subglacial Ice

Fungi have been only rarely isolated from glacial ice in extremely cold polar regions and were in these cases considered as random, long-term preserved Aeolian deposits. Fungal presence has so far not been investigated in polar subglacial ice, a recently discovered extreme habitat reported to be inhabited exclusively by heterotrophic bacteria. In this study we report on the very high occurrence (up to 9000 CFU L⁻¹) and diversity of filamentous Penicillium spp. in the sediment-rich subglacial ice of three different polythermal Arctic glaciers (Svalbard, Norway). The dominant species was P. crustosum, representing on the average half of all isolated strains from all three glaciers. The other most frequently isolated species were P. bialowiezense, P. chrysogenum, P. thomii, P. solitum, P. palitans, P. echinulatum, P. polonicum, P. commune, P. discolor, P. expansum, and new Penicillium species (sp. 1). Twelve more Penicillium species were occasionally isolated. The fungi isolated produced consistent profiles of secondary metabolites, not different from the same Penicillium species from other habitats. This is the first report on the presence of large populations of Penicillium spp. in subglacial sediment-rich ice.     

Mycotoxin-producing potential of fungi isolated from red kidney beans

The predominant fungi present in samples of reject and retail red kidney beans were Aspergillus glaucus, Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. Together with A. ochraceus, A. flavus, Fusarium spp., and Trichoderma, these isolates from the reject beans were screened for numerous mycotoxins by TLC. The most consistently produced mycotoxins were penicillic acid (from A. ochraceus and Penicillium spp.) and Alternaria toxins (tenuazonic acid and alternariol). A. glaucus strains were tested for cytotoxicity in three tissue culture cell lines with positive results.     

A report on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> in the intramural and extramural air of residential areas of Nagpur city (India)

Prevalence of different species of Penicillium and their concentrations per cubic meter of air were evaluated with the use of Hi-Air sampler system Mark II (Hi-Media Laboratories Ltd., India) in the air of homes (bed-rooms) at four different sites in Nagpur. At each of these sites, air sampling was done fortnightly in triplicate for 2 years duration from June 2000 to May 2002. The sampling was also done in triplicate for the outdoor air in the vicinity of each home on the same day immediately after the indoor sampling was over. The mean concentration of Penicillium colony forming units at four different sites in the indoor air was 32, 46.9, 35 and 35.4 CFU/m³, respectively, whereas in the outdoor air at these same four sites, the mean concentration was 24, 28, 25 and 25.8 CFU/m³ respectively. The Penicillium concentration in the indoor air was found to be higher in winter than in other seasons (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Concentration of Penicillium spp. in intramural environment was always higher than that in extramural environment. Statistically significant difference existed between intramural and extramural environments at all the sites, with maximum difference at a site, which is old crowded area of the city. During the 2-years investigations, 11 species of Penicillium were isolated from the indoor air while nine species were isolated from the air outside the homes. The dominant species of Penicillium in indoor as well as outdoor air were P. citrinum (33.78 and 32.81), P. oxalicum (19.70 and 22.60), and P. chrysogenum (17.64 and 14.50). The percentage of the Penicillium in the indoor air was 10.70 while it was 8.36 in outdoor air. Indoor air showed the presence of P. glaber and P. sclerotiorum, which were absent in the outdoor air.     

Alternansucrase mutants of Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NRRL B-21138

Alternan is a unique α-D-glucan of potential commercial interest, produced by rare strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Natural isolates that produce alternan, such as NRRL B-1355, also produce dextran as a troublesome contaminant. We previously isolated mutants of strain NRRL B-1355 that are deficient in dextran production, including the highly stable strain NRRL B-21138. In the current work, we mutagenized strain NRRL B-21138 and screened survivors for further alterations in production of alternansucrase, the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of alternan from sucrose. Second generation mutants included highly stable strain NRRL B-21297, which produced four-fold elevated levels of alternansucrase without an increase in the proportion of dextransucrase activity. Such alternansucrase overproducing strains will facilitate studies of this enzyme, and may become valuable for the enzymatic production of alternan. Another highly stable mutant strain, NRRL B-21414, grew slowly on sucrose with negligible production of glucan or extracellular glucansucrase activity. This strain may prove useful as an expression host for glucansucrase genes. Received 30 July 1996/ Accepted in revised form 15 December 1996     

三株海洋木霉的应用潜力

【目的】探索3株海洋生境木霉的应用潜力。【方法】经过筛选和诱变,获得高抑菌活性及产孢量的木霉突变株;通过优化培养基、温度、初始p H考察其产孢量及最适培养条件;综合抑菌谱、重寄生及抑菌相关基因考察其抑菌活性;采用特殊培养基法考察其产纤维素酶、植酸酶、铁载体以及降解磷钾的能力,高效液相色谱法测定其产吲哚乙酸能力。【结果】3株木霉菌的产孢量分别为3.45×108、3.10×108和2.55×108 CFU/cm2,与野生型相比分别提高了88.52%、63.16%和180.22%;且均可产生厚垣孢子,其中XG20-1厚垣孢子产量最高,达到3.56×108 CFU/m L。3株木霉菌具有较广抑菌谱及对番茄早疫病菌的重寄生作用,同时扩增得到Tex1、Nag1、Eg1基因,生物学测试显示其均具有产纤维素酶、几丁质酶以及铁载体的能力,证明其抑菌活性是多种机制共同作用的结果;菌株可以降解磷钾,且吲哚乙酸产量分别为2.61、1.57和1.92 mg/L,具有促进植物生长的潜力。【结论】本文中3株木霉菌在开发为生防菌与生物肥料方面展现出良好的应用潜力。     

Tremorgenic mycotoxins produced by strains of Penicillium spp. isolated from toxic Poa huecu parodi

Seventeen strains of Penicillium spp. have been isolated from Poa huecu Parodi from the Zapala zone, exhibiting toxicity to sheet. The following strains have been identified: P. crustosum, cyclopium, notatum, palitans, puberulum, verrucosum, viridicatum and Penicillium spp. The toxigenic capacity of the strains was studied after growing them under suitable conditions. Toxins produced were analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Penitrem A (PA) and Penitrem B (PB) neurotoxins were identified and quantitated in twelve strains; verruculogen (VERR) and fumitremorgen B (FTB) being present in one of them. The effect of these mycotoxins was studied in mice. Neurological symptoms characteristic of the intoxication by tremorgenic toxins and similar to those observed in sheep suffering from huecu's disease were observed. The possible role of these toxins as causative agents of huecu's disease is discussed.     

A report on Penicillium in the intramural and extramural air of residential areas of Nagpur city (India)

Prevalence of different species of Penicillium and their concentrations per cubic meter of air were evaluated with the use of Hi-Air sampler system Mark II (Hi-Media Laboratories Ltd., India) in the air of homes (bed-rooms) at four different sites in Nagpur. At each of these sites, air sampling was done fortnightly in triplicate for 2 years duration from June 2000 to May 2002. The sampling was also done in triplicate for the outdoor air in the vicinity of each home on the same day immediately after the indoor sampling was over. The mean concentration of Penicillium colony forming units at four different sites in the indoor air was 32, 46.9, 35 and 35.4 CFU/m³, respectively, whereas in the outdoor air at these same four sites, the mean concentration was 24, 28, 25 and 25.8 CFU/m³ respectively. The Penicillium concentration in the indoor air was found to be higher in winter than in other seasons (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Concentration of Penicillium spp. in intramural environment was always higher than that in extramural environment. Statistically significant difference existed between intramural and extramural environments at all the sites, with maximum difference at a site, which is old crowded area of the city. During the 2-years investigations, 11 species of Penicillium were isolated from the indoor air while nine species were isolated from the air outside the homes. The dominant species of Penicillium in indoor as well as outdoor air were P. citrinum (33.78 and 32.81), P. oxalicum (19.70 and 22.60), and P. chrysogenum (17.64 and 14.50). The percentage of the Penicillium in the indoor air was 10.70 while it was 8.36 in outdoor air. Indoor air showed the presence of P. glaber and P. sclerotiorum, which were absent in the outdoor air.     

Biofilm formation by exopolysaccharide mutants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leuconostoc mesenteroides</Emphasis> strain NRRL B-1355

Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NRRL B-1355 produces the soluble exopolysaccharides alternan and dextran in planktonic cultures. Mutants of this strain are available that are deficient in the production of alternan, dextran, or both. Another mutant of NRRL B-1355, strain R1510, produces an insoluble glucan in place of alternan and dextran. To test the effect of exopolysaccharide production on biofilm formation, these strains were cultured in a biofilm reactor. All strains grew well as biofilms, with comparable cell densities, including strain NRRL B-21414, which produces neither alternan nor dextran in planktonic cultures. However, the exopolysaccharide phenotype clearly affected the appearance of the biofilms and the sloughed-off biofilm material produced by these biofilms. For all strains, soluble glucansucrases and soluble polysaccharides produced by biofilm cultures appeared to be similar to those produced by planktonic cultures. Biofilms from all strains also contained insoluble polysaccharides. Strain R1510 biofilms contained an insoluble polysaccharide similar to that produced by planktonic cultures. For most other strains, the insoluble biofilm polysaccharides resembled a mixture of alternan and dextran. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Antibacterial activity of Penicillium spp. strains isolated in extreme environments

Penicillium spp. isolated from the sediments of ponds in continental Antarctica have been studied and compared with species obtained from similar environments in the Apennines of the Liguria region, in northwestern Italy. The antibacterial activity exhibited by some strains was evaluated against standard strains using both liquid and solid media. The preliminary data suggest an antibacterial activity similar to β-lactam antibiotics. Accepted: 24 October 1999     

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin andAlternaria mycotoxins in oilseed rape from Catalonia (Spain): Incidence of toxigenic strains

During an investigation of the mycoflora on oilseed rape, the predominant fungal species present in 20 samples collected from Catalonia (Spain) wereAlternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler,Penicillium spp. andAspergillus flavus. None of the 20 samples analyzed presented contamination byAlternaria mycotoxins (tenuazonic acid, alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, altertoxin I and altertoxin II). Only aflatoxin B₁ was detected in 1 of the 20 samples analyzed, with a concentration of 0.25 ppb. Of the 40Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from oilseed rape samples, only 3 revealed aflatoxigenic capacity. None of thePenicillium spp. isolated from oilseed rape samples revealed mycotoxigenic capacity (citreoviridin, griseofulvin, citrinin, patulin and penicillic acid).     

Antifungal effect of Penicillium metabolites against some fungi

Microorganisms are increasingly exploited as a source of new biological control agents. Genus Penicillium is a source of novel bioactive molecules which can be used as antifungal agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Penicillium strains. Culture filtrates of two Penicillium species were tested for their antifungal potential by well diffusion assays. Filtrate of Penicillium isolates showed high antifungal effects on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus japonicus var aculeatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides. But Penicillium italicum inhibit the fungal growth from 45 to 68% as compared to Penicillium simplissimum (25–68%). However in case of A. japonicus var aculeatus, Penicillium spp. extracts were equally effective and reduce the colony growth up to 68%. However, P. simplissimum extract was least effective in case of M. phaseolina, where it decreased the colony growth only 25%.     

Characterization of plant growth-promoting traits of Penicillium species against the effects of high soil salinity and root disease

This study investigated the plant growth promotion and stress mitigation effects of Penicillium species RDA01, NICS01, and DFC01 on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plants. The fungal isolates NICS01 and DFC01 significantly enhanced shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry seedling weight, due to the secretion of various concentrations of amino acids (Asp, Thr, Ser, Asn, Glu, Gly, Ala, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Tyr, Phe, Lys, His, Try, and Arg). Penicillium sp. NICS01 increased the amount of chlorophylls, proteins, amino acids, and lignans in the sesame plants more so than in controls. Sesame plant growth was stunted by high soil salinity, and application of the three fungal isolates increased plant survival. The RDA01 and NICS01 strains significantly increased shoot length and fresh and dry seedling weights under salt stress conditions. In addition, an in vitro study of the Penicillium spp. revealed their antagonistic activity toward the pathogenic fungi Fusarium spp. Fusarium spp. reduce shoot length; co-inoculation with the NICS01 or DFC01 isolates significantly increased shoot length in infected plants. Our results suggest that exogenous application of the Penicillium sp. NICS01 can act as a biofertilizer and a biocontrol agent to improve plant growth and enhance plant survival against salt stress and Fusarium infection.     

Characterization of fluoranthene- and pyrene-degrading bacteria isolated from PAH-contaminated soils and sediments

Sixteen environmental samples, from the United States, Germany and Norway, with histories of previous exposure to either creosote, diesel fuel or coal tar materials, were screened for bacteria which could degrade high molecular weight (HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A modified version of the spray plate technique was used for the isolations. Using fluoranthene (FLA) and pyrene (PYR) as model HMW PAHs, we isolated 28 strains on FLA and 21 strains on PYR. FLA degraders were defined as able to grow on FLA but not PYR. PYR degraders grew on both PAHs. All PYR degraders were found to be Gram-positive and all FLA degraders were Gram-negative. GC-FAME analysis showed that many of the PYR degraders were Mycobacterium spp and many of the FLA degraders were Sphingomonas spp. Comparison of the metabolic characteristics of the strains using the spray plate technique and direct growth studies revealed that more than half of the FLA degraders (59%) were able to cometabolize PYR (ie, they produced clearing zones or colored metabolites on spray plates but did not grow on the PAH) and the ability of many of these strains to cometabolize fluorene, anthracene, benzo[b]fluorene, benzo[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene was significantly affected by pre-exposure to phenanthrene. Studies on the metabolic products produced from PYR cometabolism by strain EPA 505 suggested the possibility of attack at two different sites on the PYR molecule. However, the inability to derive degradable carbon from initial opening of one of the PYR rings probably accounted for the lack of growth on this PAH by the FLA-degrading strains. The PYR degraders on the other hand, were less able to cometabolize HMW PAHs, even following pre-exposure to PHE. Characterization of the FLA degradation pathway for several of the Sphingomonas isolates indicated oxidation and ring opening through to acenaphthenone as the principle metabolite. Strain CO6, however, also oxidized FLA through fluorenone, suggesting a dual attack on the FLA molecule, similar to that observed by others in Mycobacterium spp. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 100–112. Received 01 May 1999/ Accepted in revised form 01 November 1999     

Invasion of peanut fruits by Aspergillus flavus and other fungi

Intensive studies of the mycoflora of Dixie Spanish peanuts grown under different combinations of tillage, organic matter, and previous crop revealed no consistent reduction in either Total Fungi,A spergillus spp.A. niger, A. flavus, Penicillium spp., orFusarium spp. for any of the 16 combinations studied. The level of fungous invasion in apparently sound peanut shells and seeds was consistently high, but the species composition of this flora changed as the season progressed.Penicillium was the most common genus, being isolated from over half the shells sampled. The level in seeds was lower, but in both shells and seeds there were morePenicillium spp. in fruits in the ground than in fruits from stacks.A spergillus spp. occurred at lower levels thanPenicillium, but they also decreased in fruits in the stack. Of particular interest is the fact that at all three collecting dates the amount ofAspergillus isolated from seeds was at least twice that from shells. The lower frequency of certain fungi in fruits from stacks is undoubtedly related to the lower moisture level in the drying fruits. Other fungi, especiallyFusarium spp., increase sharply in the dried tissues so that the overall level of invasion remains high. This may be of considerable practical importance since certain species ofFusarium are now known to produce toxins. Whether the increase in these fungi is due to their ability to grow under conditions of low moisture or is related to altered interspecific competition resulting from differences in the abilities of other species to survive the dry habitat, or both, is uncertain.

---

Zusammenfassung Eingehende Untersuchungen der Mykoflora der Dixie Spanish Erdnüsse unter verschiedenen Kombinationen von Ackern, organischem Material und vorherigem Anbau zeigten keine beständige Verminderung des gesamten Pilzgutes,Aspergillus spp.A. niger, A. flavus, Penicillium spp., oderFusarium spp., für keine der 16 Kombinationen. Der Grad der Pilzinvasion in anscheinend gesunden Erdnußhülsen und Samen war ständig hoch, aber die Artzusammensetzung dieser Flora wechselte mit der fortschreitenden Jahreszeit.Penicillium war die häufigste Gattung und war von der Hälfte der Hülsen isoliert. Der Grad in den Samen war niedriger, aber sowohl in Hülsen als auch in Samen war mehrPenicillium spp. in Früchten im Boden als in Früchten im Stapel.Aspergillus spp. kam zu einem niedrigeren Grade alsPenicillium vor, aber sie nahmen auch in Früchten im Stapel ab. Von besonderem Interesse ist die Tatsache, daß die Anzahl vonAspergillus spp., die von Samen isoliert worden sind, war mindestens das Zweifache von denen, die von Hülsen erhalten worden sind, an allen drei Sammeldaten. Die niedrigere Häufigkeit gewisser Pilze in Früchten vom Stapel ist zweifellos mit dem niedrigeren Feuchtigkeitsgrad der trockenen Früchte im Zusammenhang. Andere Pilze, insbesondereFusarium spp., nahmen im trockenen Gewebe stark zu, so daß der allgemeine Grad der Invasion hoch blieb. Dies mag von einer besonderen, praktischen Gewichtigkeit sein, da gewisse Arten vonFusarium bekannterweise Toxine produzieren. Ob die Zunahme dieser Pilze die Folge ihrer Fähigkeit ist, unter Bedingungen niedriger Feuchtigkeit zu wachsen oder sie mit dem veränderten interspezifischen Wettbewerb im Zusammenhang steht als Ergebnis der Unterschiede in der Fähigkeit anderer Pilze, in trockener Umgebung zu überleben oder beide, ist ungewiß.

---

---

Journal Series Paper No. 612, University of Georgia College of Agriculture Experiment Stations, College Station, Athens. This research was supported in part by funds from Cooperative Agreement No. 12-14-100-9378(34), administered by Peanut Investigations, Oilseed and Industrial Crops Branch CRD, ARS, USDA. Accepted for publication: 20. IX. 1969