PRODUCTION AND REGENERATION OF PROTOPLASTS FROM THE MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS SUILLUS-GRANULATUS

Experiments were performed with the mycorrhizal fungus Suillus granula tus to define the parameters for production and regeneration of protop lasts. Protoplasts were released at frequencies between 1 and 3 x 10(7 )/ml from mycelium 3 to 7 days old. The best osmotic stabilizer for pr otoplast release was MgSO4 (0.7 M). To optimize protoplast release and regeneration an enzyme (Novozym 234) concentration 1.7 mg/ml was chos en, with a digestion time of 1 to 2 h. Regenerated colonies formed myc orrhizae within 60 days after inoculation in Pinus caribaea var. hondu rensis seedlings.