Colony initiation in flax rust in axenic culture: involvement of a volatile factor

Abstract

In axenic cultures of flax rust (Melampsora lini) colonies are initiated after a lag period of 12–20 days, depending partly on incubation temperatures. Colony initiation is completely inhibited by removal of a volatile factor which is absorbed by KOH in the air space of the culture flask. The fungus remains sensitive to this inhibition for 8–10 days, i.e., until shortly before visible colonies would normally have developed. While in the presence of KOH, the fungus is not killed; cultures grow normally after removal of the KOH.Although conclusive evidence must await further work, the available data strongly suggest that carbon dioxide is responsible for this effect.