THE NATURAL OCCURRENCE OF AN ANTIBIOTIC IN THE MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS CENOCOCCUM GRANIFORME

Abstract

Antibiotic activity chromatographically resembling that produced in vitro by Cenococcum graniforme has been demonstrated in extracts from C. graniforme mycorrhizae and from roots and needles of three species of conifers. In trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), activity was observed only in mycorrhizal roots and not in leaves. Seedlings of conifers, presumably devoid of C. graniforme mycorrhizae, also contained antibiotic resembling that of C. graniforme. However, the surrounding soil, which contained C. graniforme sclerotia, also exhibited the antibiotic on extraction with acetone but not on extraction with saline.