Effect of Matric and Osmotic Potential on Teliospore Germination ofTilletia indica

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The interaction of matric and osmotic water potential with temperature on the germination of teliospores of Tilletia indica was investigated on several substrates. Water potential was osmotically adjusted with KCl, NaCl, or sucrose, or matrically adjusted with polyethylene glycol 6000. Maximal germination on all osmoticants occurred at the highest potential tested (-1.4 bars); little or no germination occurred below-10.5 bars with NaCl or KCl, or below-14.5 bars with sucrose. Similarly, germination did not occur below-11.0 bars on polyethylene glycol 6000 and was reduced to less than 5% on soil below-15 bars. Optimal (15-20 C) or suboptimal (10 C) temperatures allowed greater germination at lowered osmotic potential compared with supraoptimal temperature (25 C). On pH adjusted soil or water agar, maximal germination occurred from pH 5.0 to 8.8 and was significantly reduced below 4.5.