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Decomposition of ¹⁴C-Labeled Cell Wall and Cytoplasmic Fractions from Hyaline and Melanic Fungi¹

ABSTRACT

A hyaline fungus, Aspergillus niger, and an unnamed melanic fungus isolated from a soil sclerotium were grown on ¹⁴C glucose, fractionated into cell wall and cytoplasmic components, and the fractions analyzed for C, H, N, OCH₃, and specific activity. The cell wall fraction from the melanic fungus was higher in C and OCH₃ content than that from the hyaline organism. The fractions were incorporated into soil samples and ¹⁴CO₂ evolved was determined during 6 months. The rate of decomposition for cell wall material of both organisms was initially lower than that for cytoplasmic material. The hyaline cell wall decomposed at a relatively steady rate for a prolonged period, and after 6 months 70% of the C in this fraction had been lost as CO₂ compared with 62% of the C in the cytoplasmic fraction. Cell wall and cytoplasmic fractions of the melanic species were strongly pigmented and resistant to decomposition with 35% and 48% of the C in these respective fractions evolved as CO₂. The decomposition of complete, non-fractionated tissue of additional fungi was also studied. Hyaline organisms (Penicillium sp., Schizophyllum commune, Polystictus versicolor, Lenzites sp.) had a lower C content and underwent rapid decomposition in comparison with melanic organisms (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris, Cladosporium sp., Cenococcum graniforme, Mycelium radicis-atrovirens, Macrophomina phaseoli).

¹ Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, Missouri Agr. Exp. Sta., Missouri Journal Series no. 5593. Approved by the Director.

² Post Doctoral Research Associate on leave from University of Liverpool and Associate Professor of Agronomy, respectively, University of Missouri, Columbia.

Received for publication February 13, 1969. Accepted for publication April 30, 1969.