BIOCHEMISTRY OF PHYTOEFFECTORS .33. METABOLISM OF AMITROLE IN APPLE .2. BOUND RESIDUES FROM MATURE FRUITS

Significant radioactivity detected in mature fruits, harvested from ap ple trees (Malus domestica Borkh., cv. 'Golden Delicious' and 'Gloster ') that were soil-treated with [3,5-C-14]amitrole, remained in the ins oluble plant material after exhaustive extraction. These bound residue s were solubilized with a mixture of pectinases and cellulases. Thus, separation and characterization of carbohydrates and xenobiotic moieti es released during this procedure became possible. A part of the radio label was incorporated into natural products, indicating degradation o f the applied amitrole and reassimilation of [C-14] carbon dioxide.