Effects of Nutrition and Soil Extracts on Germination of Glomus Mosseae Spores

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Abstract
Germination of spores of Glomus mosseae on agar media was inhibited by excess nutrient such as provided in standard Potato Dextrose or Nutrient Broth Agars, unless very low concentrations of the respective nutrients were supplied. Spores did not germinate well on relatively nutrient-free (leached) agar, or Noble agar. High levels of germination occurred on media containing 1 g/liter of nutrient broth or potato dextrose amended to BBL brand water agar (0.75%). Extracts made by dialysis of untreated agricultural soils and added to otherwise “nutrient-free” agar supported best germination, 85–100%. Apparently, the nutrients extractable or dialysable from 200 g of field soils per liter of medium are ideal for germination. Conversely, dialysates from air dried, autoclaved or chloropicrin-treated soil added to the water agar prevented germination. It is hypothesized that nutrients available subsequent to autoclaving, air-drying or fumigation are excessive and hence inhibitory. When an air-dried soil sample was moistened, incubated for five days, and then filtered, the nutrients extracted again supported excellent spore germination.