A new fungal species forming arbuscular mycorrhizas: Glomus viscosum

A species of Glomus forming arbuscular mycorrhizas was established in pot culture with several plants. The fungus forms abundant hyaline to white spores in loose clusters. In addition to the normal spore wall which is continuous with the wail of the subtending hypha, the spores of this species produce an apparently mucilaginous outer coating, resulting in the adherence of minute soil particles which were shown to be composed of soil particles by EDAX analysis. The fungus is named Glomus viscosum in reference to the sticky outer coating. The spores, germination characteristics, and mycorrhizas are described and illustrated, and the symbiotic behaviour is discussed