Loss of nutrient-independence for germination by fungal propagules incubated on soils or on a model system imposing diffusive stress

Abstract

Nutrient independent conidia of Cochliobolus victoriae and sclerotia of Sclerotium cepivorum, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Verticillium dahliae were incubated aseptically on sand through which a dilute salts solution percolated at a flow rate sufficient to inhibit germination. Propagules were then transferred to a static salts solution to assess germination. Conidia of C. victoriae and sclerotia of S cepivorum became nutrient-dependent (6% germination in salts solution) after 9 and 15 days on sand, respectively. Thirty-five days of diffusive stress were required to attenuate the nutrient-independence of M. phaseolina sclerotia. Sclerotia of V. dahliae lost little of their nutrient-independence even after 45 days of diffusive stress. Viability of C. victoriae and S. cepivorum was reduced after 45 days of diffusive stress, but viability of V. dahliae and M. phaseolina was not. Conidia of C. victoriae gradually became nutrient-dependent when incubated for several weeks on each of five soils. A loam and two sandy loam soils were more effective in decreasing the nutrient-independence of conidia than were two clay loams. Sclerotia of M. phaseolina also lost nutrient-independence when incubated on four of the five soils. Interruption of artificially imposed diffusive stress resulted in increased [ 14C]exudation from conidia of C. victoriae and sclerotia of M. phaseolina. Germinability on salts solution of C. victoriae conidia previously made nutrient-dependent was significantly increased, when the conidia were kept at 4°C for 3.5 days before germination assay. Conidia of C. victoriae made nutrient-dependent and then incubated on soils labeled with [ 14C]glucose, absorbed twice as much 14C from a loam and two sandy loam soils as from two clay loam soils. Following incubation on four of the five 14C-labeled soils, the germinability of the conidia in the absence of nutrients was significantly increased over that of conidia not incubated on these soils. The results suggest that a continued minimal stress may be needed to maintain the nutrient-dependence of some fungal propagules in soil. Interruption of nutrient stress appears to allow nutrient-dependent propagules an opportunity to recoup nutrients from the soil solution or to reorganize endogenous energy reserves whereby the potential for germination is increased.