A dissecting microscope and a compound microscope are necessary for
fungal identification. A small glass container or glass slide, sterilised water,
sterilised Pasteur pipettes, and extra fine forceps are desirable for single spore
isolation (Fig. 1). An alcohol lamp, insect needle and a Pasteur pipette are used
to make a glass needle. A clean 25 C incubator is important for the storage of
cultures.
Making the glass needle
The narrow end of the pipette is broken so that about 2 cm remains and an
insect needle (metal needle for mounting insects) is placed inside the broken
end and flamed until the glass melts and the needle is firmly fixed (Fig. 2). It is
easier to use the needle if it is less than 1 cm outside the end of the glass
pipette, otherwise it will break easily.
Other kinds of glass needles (Goh, 1999) can be used and are similar to the
one mentioned here. It is more difficult to sterilize glass needles, therefore the
metal one mentioned here is preferred. Special isolation needles, such as the