Growth Characteristics and Life Cycle of Myosarcina sp. under Culture Conditions

Abstract

Myxosarciii,a sp. was isolated from local soils and its life cycle and nutritional behaviour were investigated. The cyanobacterium grew in modified Chu-10 medium with a generation time of about 48 h. The optimal pH for growth was 8.6. Out of eight combined nitrogen sources tested, sodium nitrite (5 X 10-3 M) and potassium nitrate (5 X 10-3 M) proved to be ideal nitrogen sources while dipotassium hydrogen phosphate at a concentration of 7.5 X 10-5 M was best for growth. The freshl-- liberated baeocytes (endospores) were 5-6 Itm in diameter and enlarged up to 10-12 Icm before successive divisions in alternating planes ensured. The mature colonies showed cubical symmetry and the most probably number of baeocytes liberated per vegetative cell ranged between 4-8. © 1986, All rights reserved.