Optimization of Culture Conditions for Mycelial Growth and Sporulation of Myrothecium roridum

Culture and nutrition conditions of Myrothecium roridum Tode were optimized by conducting a series of interlined experiments on a growth medium, temperature, pH, and photoperiod. In contrast, relation of culture age with virulence was measured by fungal development on young leaves of bitter gourd. The physiological response was measured on colony radial growth and spore production. Among the six test growth media, i.e., nutrient agar (NA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), Czapek-Dox agar (CDA), glucose agar (GA), malt extract agar (MEA), and bitter gourd agar (BGA), the highest radial growth (77 mm) and the highest number of spores (239 × 106 spores/ml) were observed on PDA. Incubation temperature was evaluated between a range of 15-40 °C, and the highest colony growth (87 mm) was observed at 30 °C, whereas the highest spore production (315 × 106 spores/ml) was at 35 °C. Different pH levels, i.e., 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, and 7.5, were optimized, and the highest colony growth (87 mm) and spore production (504 × 106 spores/ml) was recorded at pH 5.0. Impact of photoperiod was studied, and the highest mycelial growth (88 mm) and maximum spore production (524 × 106 spores/ml) was observed at 16/8 h alternate light and dark period. It was concluded that the optimum conditions for mycelia growth and spore production was pH 5.0-6.0 and at 30 ± 2 °C in PDA with 16/8 h alternate light and dark photoperiod.