Re: Japanese Iris and virgin soil

Tom Tadfor Little

>If it is a toxin (i.e., chemical rather than biological), then solarization
>would have no effect at all, right?

Not wholly right. Chemical rather than biological -- hummm -- it is
sometimes difficult to ascertain if a substance is produced by Dow Elanco
or in the gut of a beetle!

The simpler organic toxins produced by plants and insects are rather tough
molecules. However, when we look at some of the more highly evolved
substances used for defense, territory establishment, or sexual signals we
are seeing very complex and involved structures that denature rather
easily.

The allopathic substance secreted by iris (as yet unidentified!) denatures
with heat (solarization or baking); chemical attack (Vapam, methobromide,
cyanide, etc.) or time (2-3 years for beardeds -- possibly as long as 10
years for JIs).

Cheers,

Mike Lowe,  Virginia, USA
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