Fertilizer utilizing a chitin-producing fungus and method for its use

[Kritters]

Fertilizer utilizing a chitin-producing fungus and method for its use - Patent 4670037

A novel natural fertilizer and method of its use are provided. The fertilizer acts to increase the yield of food crop producing plants. The fertilizer comprises less than 0.05% of an active agent in a stable carrier that is non-toxic to the plants and the active agent. The active agent is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus. The fertilizer can be used by coating the seeds of the food crop producing plant at or prior to the time of planting by dusting the ends of a cut plant, by dusting the roots of a seedling, or by treating the soil in which the plant will be grown.

[Kritters]

<a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/How+plants+say+'no'+to+fungus-a04588105">How plants say 'no' to fungus.</a>

Now, a quartet of Swiss scientists reports direct evidence that some plants defend themselves against fungus by producing an enzyme called chitinase that potently inhibits fungal growth. Not only is this the first time a biological function has been associated with the enzyme, according to the scientists, but chitinase also could have agricultural applications.

............In addition, chitinase from crude protein extracts of bean leaves showed antifungal activity that increased if the leaves were first treated with ethylene, which is known to induce plants to manufacture chitinase. If the researchers added antibodies against chitinase to the crude protein extracts, antifungal activity was blocked.