Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 1998
Over 70% of zygospores of M. piriformis collected from 10 day-old cultures germinated in water and on acidified water agar. Germination originated either through a crack on the zygosporangial wall or through one of the suspensors. The germination percentage was highest when newly matured zygospores were used. Zygospores from cultures older than one month either did not germinate or germinated poorly. The mode of zygospore germination was affected by nutrients and germination condition. Germ-sporangial, germ-sporangial-mycelial and mycelial germination were observed on solid media while germination with an elongated germ-tube was observed in water. Zygospores of M. piriformis germinated under light as well as in darkness. Although low pH is not required for zygospore germination in water, zygospore germination on solid media is favoured by low pH.