NEMATOPHAGOUS FUNGI - STUDY BY FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY AND EDX-TECHNIQUE OF THE PERIODICITY OF TRAP FORMATION IN SOIL

The recently developed method of studying fungi inside a soil by fluor escence microscopy was used to examine the periodism of trap formation by predacious fungi. Therefore, this method was supplemented by a tec hnique, which also permitted serial sections of the soil and the count ing of capture organs of Arthrobotrys oligospora in the soil. The comb ination of these methods also allowed spotting of the traps at their e xact location, thus giving evidence about their spatial, three dimensi onal pattern and demonstrating the relative predatory success in soil. It was shown that, in spite of a virtually homogeneous induction by e elworms, the distribution is distinctly periodical. A period of 29.65 +/- 4.14 h was calculated. Additional EDX-measurements of the mycelia showed maxima of mineral content, the distance of which agreed with th e period length observed. These mineral accumulations obviously marked the sites of potential trap formation.