Effect of temperature and humidity on ballistospore discharge

Abstract

Observations are reported on the effect of temperature on basidiospore discharge in Schizophyllum commune Fr. and Polyporus brumalis (Pers.) Fr. In both, the optimum tends to be below that for vegetative growth. Further, above the optimum, spore discharge is stopped by temperatures which still permit vigorous and sustained vegetative growth. Experiments with S. commune and Sporobolomyces roseus Klyv. & van Niel indicate that ballistospore discharge is much affected by the humidity of the ambient air. The rate of discharge falls immediately on transfer from high to low humidity, but recovers on return to relatively damp air, if the exposure to dry conditions has not been too prolonged.