Immobilization of monocentric and polycentric types of anaerobic chytrid fungi in Ca-alginate

Abstract

[Abstract]: A procedure for the immobilization of rhizomycelia of two strains of anaerobic fungi, namely, Piromyces sp. KSX1 and Orpinomyces sp, 478P1 using Ca-alginate beads has been developed. Zoospores were found to be suitable propagules for the immobilization of the monocentric strain KSX1 giving rise to colonization in 100% of beads. For polycentric strain 478P1, which produced very few zoospores, partially homogenized rhizomycelia proved a suitable inoculum for the beads. The distribution of rhizomycelial growth inside the beads whereas strain KSZ1 grew in microcolonies throughout the bead and on the surface, and was unable to evenly colonize the entire Ca-alginate matrix.