Studies on <i>Cenococcum graniforme</i>. I. An efficient method for isolation from sclerotia

Abstract

The mycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum graniforme can be readily isolated from sclerotia that have been brushed clean and immersed in 30% H 2 O 2 for 10 to 40 minutes. Sclerotia are obtained from small soil samples wetted to a slurry that is swirled to remove the lightweight, sclerotia-containing fraction in a gold-panning type of process. Viable sclerotia sink in water whereas nonviable ones float, so the latter are easily eliminated. Sclerotia have been observed to form in agar cultures, especially those that have been allowed to desiccate slowly for 2 to 3 months.