Production of aseptic spores of vesicular-arbuscular endophytes and their viability after chemical and physical stress.

The survival of germinating spores of vesicular-arbuscular endophytes after treatments with oxidizing agents, antibiotics, moist heat, ultrasonic radiation, and ultraviolet radiation was compared with that of their contaminating microbes. Spores of three species were rapidly decontaminated by treatment with 0.42% (wt/vol) chlorine available from 5.0% (wt/vol) chloramine-T at 30 degrees C for 20 to 40 min depending on the species and the soil from which they were extracted. This treatment did not change spore viability. The survival of spores was reduced by exposure for 20 min to 1.11% chlorine at 30 degrees C for Glomus caledonius or at 35 degrees C for Acaulospora laevis. Growth of any bacteria surviving treatment with oxidizing agents was inhibited by 100 mug of chloramphenicol per ml in agar; however, spore germination and germ tube growth were reduced only by concentrations greater than 200 mug/ml in agar. Spore germination was decreased by concentration of pimaracin, which controlled fungal growth. The spores survived moist heat at 40 degrees C for 80 min, 55 degrees C for 10 min, and 60 degrees C for less than 1 min. The viability of spores was unaffected by ultrasonic irradiation for up to 4 min. Spores of G. caledonius and A. laevis were extremely resistant to ultraviolet radiation. Their viability was unaffected by exposure to 5 x 10 ergs cm from an ultraviolet source of 253.7nm. The spores had very thick, pigmented walls, and the possibility that these provided some protection against the physical and chemical treatments is discussed. The degree of physiological damage to the spores caused by the treatments demonstrated some adverse effects of basic laboratory procedures. This information, together with that on the comparative sensitivity of contaminating microbes to the treatments, was used in the development of protocol for producing large numbers of uncontaminated spores.