The influence of atmosphere composition and nutrients on the germination of Rhizomucor pusillus sporangiospores

Sporangiospores of Rhizomucor pusillus contained in nine liquid cultures were incubated (45 C) in aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic atmospheres for up to 30 h. In aerobic atmospheres germination occurred in three of the cultures after only 3 h of incubation. A marked reduction in spore germination occurred when spores were incubated in microaerophilic atmospheres, with germination occurring in all the cultures after 30 h of incubation. Spores did not germinate in any of the liquid cultures incubated anaerobically for 30 h.