Aspects of the cultural behaviour of Frankia and possible ecological implications

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Abstract
Frankia isolates primarily from Casuarina, Hippophaë, and Myrica were examined for their response to changes in temperature, pH, and water potential and for utilization of various substrates. Isolates differed in their responses. The general trends were that optimum growth was around 30 °C, the upper limits close to 40 °C, and the lower limits near 15 °C. Growth was generally favoured by pH values lying between 6 and 8 with the Casuarina isolate showing a narrower range. The general pattern of behaviour towards water potential was that growth declined below about −2 to −6 bar (1 bar = 100 kPa). Meagre growth was shown at −23 bar for isolates, except the one from Myrica which ceased to grow at potentials lower than about −18 bar. Isolates differed in ability to utilize monosaccharides and polysaccharides and tricarboxylic acids, but all utilized some volatile fatty acids. They also differed in ability to grow in the presence of inorganic and organic nitrogen sources, amino acids, and urea. Vitamins stimulated growth of some Frankia isolates; stimulation was generally small but was shown for biotin, calcium pantothenate, and riboflavin. Some evidence was gained for growth of selected isolates under near-chemoautotrophic conditions. Some ecological implications are discussed.

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