Optimum conditions for growth of cyanobacteria on solid media

The colony forming ability of single cells or very short filaments of 7 strains of cyanobacteria was tested on media solidified by agar or by agar substitutes (Gel Gro or Gel Rite). In addition, the effect of various methods for preparation of agar media on colony forming ability was measured. High efficiency colony formation for most of the strains required that the agar be autoclaved separately from the salts in the medium. The addition of thiosulfate, but not buffer, significantly increased the plating efficiency of most strains.