Metalaxyl biodegradation by bacterial and mold isolates from Portuguese vineyard soils

Bacterial and mold strains isolated from three different soil layers from t wo Portuguese vineyards are characterized. Biodegradation by the microbial strains with maximal biodegradation activity to Metalaxyl was analyzed usin g this [C-3 H-3 - ring] labelled fungicide and radioHPLC. Four radioactive degradation products were found after 7 days of incubation at 37 degrees C using three degradation active microbial isolates.