Cyclopiazonic acid in combination with aflatoxins,zearalenone and ochratoxin A in Indonesian corn

The mycotoxin, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), was detected at concentrations as high as 9 ppm in 21 of 26 corn samples from a Bogor poultry feedmill. This is the first demonstration of the natural occurrence of CPA in Indonesia. CPA was always accompanied by other mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins, suggesting that the interactive toxicity of these mycotoxins to poultry should be investigated.     

Iris Seed Dormancy

Iris embryos were treated in several ways to study the cause of delayed germination. The results of this work indicate that a chemical inhibitor is present in the endosperm and mechanical inhibition of embryo growth also occurs. The mechanical inhibition reduces excised Iris embryo growth to the same extent as does the chemical inhibitor.     

An Ustilago maydis Mutant Partially Blocked in P45014DM Activity Is Hypersensitive to Azole Fungicides

An Ustilago maydis ergosterol biosynthesis mutant (A14) which is partially blocked in sterol 14alpha-demethylase (P45014DM) activity is described. This mutant accumulated the abnormal 14alpha-methyl sterols, eburicol, 14alpha-methylfecosterol, and obtusifoliol, along with significant amounts of ergosterol. Although the A14 mutant grew nearly as well as the wild type, it was impaired in cell extension growth, which indicated a dysfunction in apical cell wall synthesis. The mutant was also found to be hypersensitive to the azole fungicides penconazole and tebuconazole.