Abstract
Populations of freshly harvested to 4-year-old resting spores of Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc. from sand compost and aqueous immersion cultures were observed, using normal and television microscopy. Germination vesicles were found in aging cultures: at 49 days in sand compost or peaking at the 11th day in aqueous immersion. Freshly harvested spores gave rise to the largest quantity of vesicles in aqueous immersion. The ability to produce vesicles fell off in rapid exponential fashion with time after spore harvest. Release of the sporangia from the enveloping vesicles and discharge of zoospores from sporangia were studied in detail through the use of videotape recordings. This is the first reported description of these phenomena in the life history of S. endobioticum.

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