Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Cornell researchers identify natural herbicide that controls weeds around some common lawn grasses

Cornell researchers identify natural herbicide that controls weeds around some common lawn grasses

November 09, 2007

Certain varieties of common fescue lawn grass come equipped with their own natural broad-spectrum herbicide that inhibits the growth of weeds and other plants around them.

Cornell researchers have identified the herbicide as an amino acid called meta-tyrosine, or m-tyrosine, that these lawn grasses exude from their roots in large amounts. This amino acid is a close relative of para-tyrosine (p-tyrosine), one of the 20 common amino acids that form proteins.




Reporting on the discovery in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, Frank Schroeder, the paper's senior author and an assistant scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research on Cornell's campus, said, "We at first didn't believe m-tyrosine had anything to do with the observed herbicidal activity, but then we tested it and found it to be extremely toxic to plants but not toxic to fungi, mammals or bacteria."

Co-author Cecile Bertin, Ph.D. '05, research director for PharmAfrican, a Montreal-based bio-pharmaceuticals company, made the initial discovery that fescue grasses inhibit plants from growing around them.

While m-tyrosine itself is too water soluble to be applied directly as a herbicide, this research may lead to development of new varieties of fescue grasses that suppress weeds more effectively, which could reduce the need for synthetic herbicides, said Schroeder. By increasing our understanding of basic plant biology, the discovery of m-tyrosine's herbicidal properties could also help researchers discover more sustainable ways to control weeds or completely new herbicides, Schroeder added.

He and his colleagues are now conducting experiments to understand how m-tyrosine works as a plant killer. Plants depend on the production of large amounts of another common amino acid, phenylalanine, which is essential for the biosynthesis of wood, cell walls and lignin.

"Phenylalanine, m-tyrosine and p-tyrosine are structurally all very similar," said Schroeder. "Because of this similarity, we think that m-tyrosine might simulate high concentrations of phenylalanine, which would normally provide negative feedback for phenylalanine biosynthesis" and, thereby, suppress plant growth.

Schroeder and colleagues are also trying to understand why fescue grasses do not succumb to the toxin themselves. They found that when phenylalanine was added to plants dying from m-tyrosine exposure, they recovered. As a result, the researchers suspect that these fescue varieties may overproduce phenylalanine to save themselves from their own toxin.

People have not recognized how effective some fescue varieties are at suppressing weeds because m-tyrosine production appears to be highly dependent on environmental conditions, Schroeder said, which is another area that the researchers are currently investigating.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, New York State Turfgrass Association, the National Science Foundation and Triad Foundation.

Cornell University



Related Herbicide Current Events and Herbicide News Articles Herbicide Current Events and Herbicide News RSS Herbicide Current Events and Herbicide News RSS
Turfgrass quality measurement improved with GreenSeeker sensor
To measure turfgrass performance, professionals have traditionally relied on trained human evaluators who provide visual assessments of turf quality.

Organic weed control for dandelions
Spring and summer often find homeowners out in their yards, busily attempting to control the onslaught of dandelions in a quest for green, weed-free lawns.

Understanding how weeds are resistant to herbicides
In a little over seven hours, University of Illinois weed scientist Patrick Tranel got more genetic information about waterhemp than in two years time in a lab.

Leicester research paves way for first use in Europe of an insect to fight invasive plant
Researchers at the University of Leicester have paved the way for the first ever use in Europe of an insect (biocontrol) to combat an invasive plant species in Britain.

Alternative agricultural practices combine productivity and soil health
The progressive degradation of useful soils for agriculture and farm animal husbandry is a growing environmental and social problem, given that it endangers the food safety of an increasing world population.

Limited data suggest possible association between Agent Orange exposure
A new report from the Institute of Medicine finds suggestive but limited evidence that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War is associated with an increased chance of developing ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease for Vietnam veterans.

Herbicide diversity needed to keep Roundup effective
Using a diverse herbicide application strategy may increase production costs, but a five-year Purdue University study shows the practice will drastically reduce weeds and seeds that are resistant to a popular herbicide.

First evidence that weed killers improve nutritional value of a key food crop
Scientists are reporting for the first time that the use of weed killers in farmers' fields boosts the nutritional value of an important food a crop.

Iowa State University researcher looks at the future of agriculture
Dramatic price fluctuations, increasing demand, the food vs. fuel debate, and other events of the past year may have food producers wondering which way is up.

Researchers describe 'implausible' chemistry that produces herbicidal compound
A soil microbe that uses chemical warfare to fight off competitors employs an unusual chemical pathway in the manufacture of its arsenal, researchers report, making use of an enzyme that can do what no other enzyme is known to do: break a non-activated carbon-carbon bond in a single step.
More Herbicide Current Events and Herbicide News Articles
Monterey Remuda All Natural Herbicide - Pint Concentrate #LG5180

Monterey Remuda All Natural Herbicide - Pint Concentrate #LG5180
by Monterey

PT, Concentrate, Remuda, A Non-Selective Post Emergence Herbicide To Use In Unplanted Areas, Around Trees & Shrubs, Flowerbeds, Etc, Contains 41% Glyphosate With Surfactant, Can Be Mixed With Weed Impede To Get A Post Emergent Kill & A Pre-Emergence Control Of Weeds & Grass.

  Herbicides and Plant Physiology
by Andrew Cobb (Author), John Reade (Author)

Herbicides continue to make a spectacular contribution to modern safe crop production. It is essential to understand how these compounds work in plants and their surroundings to properly facilitate the development of more effective and safer agrochemicals. This book provides that information in a succinct and user-friendly way. The second edition of this very well-received and highly thought of book has been fully up-dated with much new information of relevance to the subject, particularly in the areas of cell and molecular biology. The book commences with introductory chapters on weed biology and herbicide discovery and development. Following chapters include coverage of herbicides that inhibit photosynthesis and auxin-type herbicides, herbicide resistance and further targets for...

Nature's Avenger Organic Weed & Grass Killer 32oz Concentrate

Nature's Avenger Organic Weed & Grass Killer 32oz Concentrate
by CUTTING EDGE FORMULATION INC

Natures Avenger is a non-selective herbicide that works by dehydrating the weed or grass all the way down to the root. Additional Details Citrus, oil-based herbicide designed to kill broadleaf weeds and grasses Safe for kids, pets, and the water supply Works faster than many of the leading toxic chemical herbicides on the market In most cases, noticeable results can be seen within hours after spraying 32oz concentrate bottle makes up to 1.5 gallons ready to use

  Planfarm Herbicide Guide
by Planfarm Pty Ltd

The guide covers all the important aspects of weed and pest management for winter crops in WA. It is designed and produced independently by consultants for farmers to help them make the best decision when it comes to chemical application.

Brushmaster Herbicide Quart

Brushmaster Herbicide Quart
by PBI Gordon

Brushmaster is an economically priced low-volatile ester product containing a Trimec herbicide complex that allows you to successfully treat just about any brush or broadleaf weed species. Whether you apply it with water or mix it with oil, Brushmaster's superior penetration and translocation give it the power to extinguish the last spark of life from your toughest brush. Properly treated, targeted trees, vines and broadleaf weeds won't come back. Most cool season grasses are tolerant to applications of Brushmaster when mixed with water for folier treatments. Will not strip treated areas of erosion protection like mechanical methods and chemical sterilent and will breakdown rapidly in the soil making it a sound choice for brush control that is not only efficient, but cost effective as...

AM25 Aquamaster Aquatic Herbicide

AM25 Aquamaster Aquatic Herbicide
by A.M. Leonard



  FINALE HERBICIDE - 2.5 GALLO *
by Southern States Farm Supplies



Whitetail Institute Slay Broadleaf Herbicide 1 Pint

Whitetail Institute Slay Broadleaf Herbicide 1 Pint

Whitetail Institute Slay Broadleaf Herbicide 1 Pint Slay the Broadleaf Weeds in Your Food Plot Slay herbicide was developed by the Whitetail Institute to help control broadleaf weeds. Like grasses broadleaf weeds come in many shapes and forms both perennials and annuals. Thistles dock weed and ragweed are examples of broadleaf weeds that can damage or even destroy food plots. Broadleaf weeds like grasses can spread quickly and take valuable moisture and nutrients from the soil. They can also damage food plots by shading out the desired forages. This is especially true when the plantings are young. Slay herbicide effectively controls broadleaf weeds while not harming Imperial Whitetail Clover or Alfa-Rack and many other food plot plantings. Slay Broadleaf Herbicide is effective on...

Historic Crop Dusting Films DVD: 1947 - 1969 Agricultural Pesticides, Insecticides, & Herbicides Films Including Pesticide, Herbicide, Insecticide Use, Application, Pollution, & Effects Videos. Topics Also Include Pest Control, Insects, Weeds, DDT, Cropdusting Aircraft, And More.

Historic Crop Dusting Films DVD: 1947 - 1969 Agricultural Pesticides, Insecticides, & Herbicides Films Including Pesticide, Herbicide, Insecticide Use, Application, Pollution, & Effects Videos. Topics Also Include Pest Control, Insects, Weeds, DDT, Cropdusting Aircraft, And More.

Great collection of three agriculture pesticide application films including crop dusting, insecticide/pesticide application methods, DDT application, and pests like the boll weevil. Table Of Contents: (1) Death to Weeds (1947) - Documentary film about the application of 2-4-D pesticide including crop dusting and before and after footage - 22 Minutes (2) Agricultural Aviation (1955) - Historical footage of crop dusting and pesticides application including up close footage of the various pests that damage farmers plants, like boll weevils - 13 Minutes (3) Who Shall Reap (1969) - The problems and solutions that insects and weeds contribute to farmers and food supplies - 28 Minutes

  Herbicide

"Trombonist Herb Bruce is a musician so gifted, it's impossible to classify his playing. He can soar, he can roar, he can be sweet and sensitive, or he can raise the hairs on your arms with his robust intensity and vibrant sound. Herb covers every style, and proudly displays his ability on this recording. To match his enthusiasm and his exciting playing, Herb has assembled a big band with an even bigger sound. Add to that some lush strings for the ballads and some percussion for the pop tunes, and you have a record that covers all the bases. Herb does it all, and does it well. This CD will have you wondering why there is only one recording of this great ensemble. With such fine arrangements, terrific players, and a trombone leader who seems to have no limitations, this is one hell of a...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com