METABOLISM OF THE HERBICIDE ATRAZINE BY RHODOCOCCUS STRAINS

Rhodococcus strains were screened for their ability to degrade the her bicide atrazine. Only rhodococci that degrade the herbicide EPTC (s-et hyl-dipropylthiocarbamate) metabolized atrazine. Rhodococcus strain TE 1 metabolized atrazine under aerobic conditions to produce deethyl- an d deisopropylatrazine, which were not degraded further and which accum ulated in the incubation medium. The bacterium also metabolized the ot her s-triazine herbicides propazine, simazine, and cyanazine. The N de alkylation of triazine herbicides by Rhodococcus strain TE1 was associ ated with a 77-kb plasmid previously shown to be required for EPTC deg radation.