EFFECT OF ISOTHIOCYANATES ON GERMINATION OF SPORES OF G. MOSSEAE

Although the lack of vesicular-arbuscular mycor-rhizal (VAM) colonization in Cruciferae has been attributed to intrinsic characteristics of the cortex, rather than to compounds released in exudates (Ocampo et a/., 1980). extracts and volatile com-pounds from cabbage plants have been shown to reduce spore germination in Glomus mosstwe (EI-Atrach et cl.. 1989). These compounds also reduced VAM colonization in alfalfa (host) plants to a degree which was infiucnccd by the medium in which the plant was grown and by VAM inoculum potential (El-Atrach e’! al.. 1989). Glucosinolatcs arc a Iargc group of sulfur-contain-ing glycosidcs found in the Crucifcrac. Although thcsc compounds have no antifungal activity (Mithc