Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Potent, Non-Toxic Plant-growth Inhibitor from an Antibiotic Fermentation

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

THE production by micro-organisms of substances inhibitory to the growth of higher plants is well documented. The purpose of this communication is to report a potent inhibitor of plant growth, as measured by our duckweed (Lemna) test1. Solvent extraction at pH. 9.0 of fitrates derived from fermentations of an unidentified Streptomyces led to the recovery of a light tan solid, designated crude PA-180. This preparation exhibited considerable antibiotic activity against various micro-organisms (for example, minimum inhibitory concentrations of 3.12 and 6.25 µgm./ml. against Streptococcus faecalis and Corynebacterium diphtheriae, respectively; we wish to thank Dr. A. R. English for the anti-microbial testing and Dr. T. M. Lees and Mr. M. Lynch for papergram determinations). This crude PA-180 preparation also was shown to exhibit remarkable plant growth activity. This inhibitory effect was first noticed in a routine test being conducted for an evaluation of its growth effect and its phytotoxicity. The results (Fig. 1) were noteworthy since they demonstrated a strong inhibitory action with no apparent toxic symptoms. The plants at all test-levels were normal except for a decreased size. The original experimental transfer consisted of one rosette of four fronds. These four original fronds are easily detected among the tiny daughter fronds at the 5, 10 and 20 p.p.m. test-levels. The number of fronds is not appreciably decreased, as opposed to the size and weight of the plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nickell, L. G., and Finlay, A. C., J. Agric. and Food Chem., 2, 178 (1954).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wallen, V. R., Sutton, M. D., and Skolko, A. J., Phytopath., 40, 156 (1950).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Norman, A. G., Science, 121, 213 (1955).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Nickell, L. G., Phyton, 11, 93 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tulecke, W., and Nickell, L. G., Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 22, 196 (1960).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Norman, A. G., Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc., 24, 109 (1960).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Norman, A. G., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys., 58, 461 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hall, W. C., Johnson, S. P., and Leinweber, C. L., Tex. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull., 789 (1954).

  9. Wirwille, J. W., and Mitchell, J. W., Bot. Gaz., 111, 491 (1950).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Krewson, C. F., Wood, J. W., Wolfe, W. C., Mitchell, J. W., and Marth, P. C., J. Agric. and Food Chem., 7, 264 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sachs, R. M., Lang, A., Bretz, C. F., and Roach, J., Amer. J. Bot., 47, 260 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Bonner, J., Amer. J. Bot., 36, 429 (1949).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Day, M. W., Mich. Agric. Exp. Sta. Quart. Bull., 30, 241 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Tolbert, N. E., J. Biol. Chem., 235, 475 (1960).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Tolbert, N. E., Plant Physiol., 35, 380 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Wittwer, S. H., and Tolbert, N. E., Plant Physiol., 35, 871 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Schoene, D. L., and Hoffman, O. L., Science, 109, 588 (1949).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. L. G. NICKELL

    Present address: Experiment Station, Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association, Honolulu, 14

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Research Laboratories, Chas. Pfizer and Co., Inc., Groton, Connecticut

    L. G. NICKELL & W. D. CELMER

Authors
  1. L. G. NICKELL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. D. CELMER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

NICKELL, L., CELMER, W. A Potent, Non-Toxic Plant-growth Inhibitor from an Antibiotic Fermentation. Nature 192, 1098–1099 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/1921098a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1921098a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation