The Isolation and Culture of Gymnosporangium Juniperi-Virgininae Schw. Upon Artificial Media

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Abstract
Attempts to adapt rust fungi to a saprophytic mode of existence resulted in the production of a binucleated-cell mycelium of G. juniperi-virginianae from callus tissue in one 4-mo. old callus culture. Telial galls were transferred by use of techniques of White and Gautheret to a modification of Gautheret''s no. 4 nutrient soln. Dextrose was increased to 3% and 500 ppm. of ascorbic acid was added to check excess production of melanin by-products. Carrot juice and yeast stimulated growth and 1% yeast extract was added. Optimum concn. of naphthalene acetic acid was 10- 7 g./liter. When the mycelium was transferred, first to fresh nutrient, then to a wide variety of synthetic and natural media in shake and stationary culture, it continued to grow in all cases. Sporulation, when it did occur, was either abortive or atypical, yet when the mycelium was tested by inoculating it on uninfected callus cultures of Crataegus coccinea derived by Gautheret''s technique, 3 of the 12 calluses developed typical roestelia of Gymnosporangium with formation of aeciospores and peridial cells. The probability that this specimen of Gymnosporangium might be a mutant has been considered and further work is being done for more conclusive results.
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