A mathematical model applied to the fungal colony growth of Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

Colonies of Sclerotium rolfsii growing on solid medium showed a linear increase in radius simultaneously with exponential changes in colonial weight. The mathematical model developed by Koch (Koch, A.L. 1975. J. Gen. Microbiol. 89, 209Ð216) to describe similar kinetics of mycelial growth was applied. Most of the parameters deÞned in the mentioned model were directly measured or calculated, except the values of K (maximum mycelium carrying capacity) and S (initial mycelial density) which were Þtted to the experimental data of growth at 30iC and 23iC. The ratios K/S at 30iC and at 23iC were 18.8 and 1200 respectively, being consistent with two-dimensional growth. The model was predictive only during the exponential increase of the colony weight.