Culturing of three species of endoparasitic fungi infecting nematodes

Abstract

Three species of fungi endoparasitic in nematodes were obtained in pure culture for the first time. The fungi belong to Harposporium and Verticillium. Morphology of the fungi on corn meal agar was studied and infectivity proving Koch's postulates was achieved for each species. The infection method for Harposporium cycloides was shown to be by spore ingestion. Whilst all species were found to produce infection conidia in pure culture, both species of Harposporium produced accessory conidia and, in H. lilliputanum, arthroconidia were also formed.