A selective technique for the isolation of Neurospora crassa from soil.

Neurospora is among the most studied of all eukaryotes. It is a convenient organism for the study of genetic polymorphism through analysis of isozymes (Yu, Garrett & Sussman, 1971 ; Reddy & Threlkeld, 1971,1972), and the possibility of population studies with Neurospora has been demonstrated by Perkins (1970) who collected isolates from over 60 localities in the tropics. However, Perkins' collection was derived from visibly growing colonies on vegetation or upon the soil surface in burned areas, so selection of certain forms may have occurred. To be more representative of the potential genetic variability in nature, collections should include samples from a diversity of soil habitats. We report here on a technique found effective for the isolation of Neurospora crassa from soils in India.