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The Rural Voice, 2000-04, Page 13f Scrap Book Scientists seeking fungus solution discover antibiotic United States Department of Agriculture scientists searching for natural compounds to control fungi in plants have stumbled onto new antibiotics that control streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria. Agricultural Research Service scientists at Lane, Oklahoma, and College Station; Texas say they have discovered a family of antimicrobial compounds unrelated to penicillin that have potent antimicrobial activity. They made their find while looking for microbial compounds to control diseases like root rot in muskmelon and watermelon plants. The discovery could solve the problem of growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics like Penicillin. Up to 80 per cent of staphylococcus strains are now resistant to penicillin and its derivative forms — antibiotics that have added 20 years to the average human life expectancy. The scientists have isolated six compounds that they say exhibit some degree of antibiotic activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria that concern agricultural and health professionals. The compounds varied in their selectivity and ability to retard growth or kill important bacterial pathogens. Three of the compounds exhibited excellent activity against the types of staphylococcus and streptococcus that cause diseases in humans. Scientists say one of the six compounds exhibited strong antibiotic activity against all seven bacterial species tested. The scientists say some of their compounds may be as good as, or better than, commercial antibiotics at resisting bacterial infections and could be of considerable interest to the pharmaceutical industry.° — Source: United States Dept. of Agriculture press release Johnson Pumps & Motors Inc. COMPLETE PUMP SALES, SERVICE AND PARTS MONARCH PUMPS i n% Discount on new pumps with this ad SUMP -SEWAGE & EFFLUENT PUMPS POOL & SPA PUMPS (519) 376-3305 MON. - FRI. 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. - SAT. 8:30 A.M. - 12 NOON 285 8 ST. E. OWEN SOUND N4K 1L2 VISA 4ia KOH t..j 7' Breaking Kongskilde has established itself as a leading international manufacturer of top quality farm equipment. Once known for a single product — the Triple K cultivator — Kongskilde today fields a world-class up of not only cultivators but fertilizer spreaders, pickers, and seeders as well — due largely to its acquisition of three well-known European implement makers in 1997: Becker, Juko and Danagri-pol. That's why the acquisition of Swedish plow maker Overum makes perfect sense for Kongskilde. Both companies have broken a lot of new ground in past. Now they're doing it together. In recognition of their longstanding familiarity worldwide, Overum plows will remain Overum and carry the Overum name. Kongskilde cultivators, fertilizer spreaders, and seeders will continue to be Kongskilde Red and the Kongskilde name. For further information and demonstration OIC RUM new ground together --.I t , mss:y w .a t r t 1�, -,; line- a , stone- , .ra,f,,,,a;,.p , rti-watt? :+`074 4'c#e-1,_ ,«: the , :-. -r f Blue bear .4 f' contact Chesley ROBERT'S FARM EQUIPMENT INC. Mitchell St. Marys GREAT LAKES NEW HOLLAND INC. Wallenstein EDGAR S. MARTIN LIMITED Walton McGAVIN FARM EQUIPMENT (K) KONGSKILDE 231 Thames Rd. E., Exeter, Ontario Canada NOM 1S3 Tel: (519) 235-0840 / Fax: (519) 235-2931 e-mail: mail@kc.kongskilde.com APRIL 2000 9