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An Improved, Yam-Based, Dehydrated Agar Medium for Cultivating Fungi
Abstract
Radial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii on media containing concentrations of 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2% yam powder were not significantly different (p =0.05) from each other, irrespective of whether sucrose or glucose was used in the medium. At any of this concentration; and regardless of the sugar used, radial growth of the fungus was greater than that on Oxoid potato dextrose agar (PDA). Aerial mycelia) growth, however, was greater on PDA, and among the yarn media, was more profuse on those with 1.6 and 2% yarn powder concentrations and least on that with 0.4% concentration of yam powder. Media clarity. however, was best at the lowest yarn powder concentration. With either sugar, significantly higher number of mature sclerotia of S. rolfsii formed at 0.8% powder concentration and above. None was formed on media devoid of yam powder. In an additional comparative test with Oxoid Savoured glucose agar, 18 phytopathogenic fungi grew well on a medium containing (w/v) 0.4% yam powder, 2% sucrose, 1.5% agar and fortified with 0.2% cowpea powder. This yarn-cowpea agar medium is therefore, recommended for supplementary use with imported dehydrated mycological media
