Effects of host aging, ions, and pH on the adsorption of the cyanovirus N-1 to Nostoc muscorum.

The adsorption rate of the cyanovirus N-1 infecting the nitrogen-fixing blue-green alga Nostocmuscorum decreased with aging of algal cultures and the virus failed to adsorb to the dead host cells. The adsorption rate declined in saline magnesium chloride solution compared to that in algal growth medium. The addition of amino acids like L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine failed to enhance the adsorption rate of the virus. Optimal pH of adsorption was 7.6 to 8;1.