Developmental effects of the major ions found in a groundwater sample on sexual cultures of Dictyostelium discoideum

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Abstract
Addition of 25 ppm magnesium, 40 ppm nitrate, 140 ppm sulphate, and 170 ppm chloride to mixed mating type cultures of Dictyostelium discoideum was found to both markedly increase the peak number and cause an earlier developmental age of appearance of binucleate and zygote giant cells over similar cultures made without the ions. Peak cell fusion values were enhanced by about 20% in ion-supplemented cultures. Developmental kinetics in separate cultures made with each component ion showed that the enhancement of cell type percentages and total cell fusion required the combined action of at least two of the ions. Lactose (0.1%) - proteose peptone no. 3 (0.1%) liquid culture medium supplemented with the above ions yields a medium which maximizes cell fusion, facilitating its studying during sexual development in D. discoideum.