Experts of the Ual find new microorganisms capable of degrading waste plant protection
March 16, 2009
A team of experts on the upgrading of waste and composting of the
Universidad de Almería (Ual), led by Dr. Joaquín Moreno Casco, is characterizing the composting process from a biological point of view for a collection of micro-organisms capable of degrading remnants of pesticides and lignocellulosic materials - stemsleaves and branches of origin agriculture and/or forestry - accumulate heavy metals, generating plant growth regulating substances and determine new species antagonistic against agencies pest of crops. According to Vargas García: "The importance of discovering new organisms capable of degrading waste plant protection compounds is due to the high volatility and water solubility that own these products." "This fact causes great environmental pollution, both the atmosphere and the soil, water and human health".
To achieve this premise through isolation and selection of most appropriate micro-organisms, scientists grow agencies in a culture medium with basic nutrients and, as the only source of carbon, plant protection compounds that is intended to act. Then, determine the initial concentration of these elements and after several days of incubation, the final concentration is measured. So the experts can verify real of micro-organisms selected for transform and, therefore, eliminate the compounds covered by analysis.
Samples of crops in the r & d laboratory.