[Assays of nutrition in Ascobolus furfuraceus. Sources of nitrogen].

The effect of various nitrogen sources on growth and efficiency parameters of Ascobolus furfuraceus was investigated. As nitrogen sources, sodium nitrate and nitrite, inorganic ammonium salts and nitrated organic compounds have been used. The results showed that all of them could be used by the fungus, with the exceptions of sodium nitrite and ammonium oxalate. Good correlation was observed among the growth parameters, the 'economic coefficients' of uptake and internal conversion of sources, and the specific respiration rates. The best nitrogen source - estimated as growth and efficiency parameters - was ammonium carbonate in the culture conditions used. The possibility of heterotrophic carbon fixation is discussed.