Effect of temperature, pH, physical and chemical factors on germination rate of the chlamydospores of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans

This study mainly investigated the effects of environmental factors on the germination/dormancy, sporulation and resistance of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores. Results showed that the germination temperature of chlamydospores was >10°C and ≤35°C. After the chlamydospores were treated at −20, −40 and −80°C for 12–24 h, they still had the ability to germinate. The chlamydospores germinated at pH 3–13 but did not germinate at pH 1–2 and pH 14. The chlamydospores could tolerate ultraviolet rays for 720 min, but visible light irradiation for 24 h significantly reduced their germination rate. The chlamydospores did not germinate under anaerobic conditions. After the chlamydospores were cultured on water agar (WA) containing 5, 10 and 20% NaCl, their germination rate was significantly inhibited. Once NaCl was removed, the chlamydospores almost completely recovered their germination ability. Among the nine kinds of additives used in the study, 0.3% arginine significantly promoted spore germination (P < 0.05) but 1% trehalose and 1% glycerine significantly inhibited spore germination during incubation from 24 h to 48 h (P < 0.05). This work indicated that D. flagrans chlamydospores are highly resistant to environmental variations and so could be used for biocontrol of animal parasites.