A variety of fungal species are known to degrade cyanide through the action of cyanide hydratase, a specialized nitrilases which hydrolyze cyanide to formamide. This work is a report on two unknown and uncharacterized members from Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans. Recombinant forms of three cyanide hydratases (CHT) originated from N. crassa, Gibberella zeae, and A. nidulans were prepared after their genes were cloned with N-terminal hexahistidine purification tags, expressed in E. coli and purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. These enzymes were compared according to their pH activity profiles, and kinetic parameters. Although all three were similar, the N. crassa CHT has the widest pH range of activity above 50% and highest turnover rate (6.6×108 min-1) among them. The CHT of A. nidulans has the highest Km value of the three nitrilases evaluated in here. Expression of CHT in both N. crassa and A. nidulans were induced by the presence of KCN, regardless of any presence of nitrogen sources. These data can be used to determine optimal procedures for the enzyme uses in the remediation of cyanide-containing wastes.

Unstable seedling stand establishment of wet direct seeding culture of rice is one of the major elements preventing the extension of its culture area. In order to develop methods of seedling stand improvement in direct seeded rice on flooded surfaces, three field experiments were conducted on silty loam soil using a cultivar 'Donjinbyeo' for three years, mainly focusing on water management after seeding and seed soaking with plant growth regulators (PGRs). Under the condition of shallow flooding after seeding, seedling stand rate increased and floating seedling rate decreased in both early and normal season seeding compared to deep flooding. With earlier draining time after seeding, there was a tendency towards preferential growth of the seminal root, increase of seedling stand and decrease of the floating seedling rate. Therefore the highest seedling numbers per unit area and the lowest floating seedling numbers were found upon drainage at 1 day after seeding (DAS), while a contrary tendency was shown upon conventional drainage at 7 DAS. Seed soaking with PGRs such as Metalaxyl or mixing of Metalaxyl with gibberellic acid (GA3 ) significantly increased the seedling stand. In addition the effects of PGR treatment on seedling stand and the early growth of plants were greater under flooded conditions than under drained conditions after seeding, although draining of water after seeding improved the seedling establishment rate more when compared with the PGR treatment. These results suggest that draining management after seeding or maintaining of shallow flooding for a week is the most effective method to improve the seedling stand rate in wet direct seeding.