Patterns of ballistospore germination in Tilletiopsis, Auricularia and Tulasnella

Abstract

In Tilletiopsis washingtonensis ballistospore germination on malt agar results in a yeast-type phase before the mycelial condition develops a few days later. However, ballistospores germinating close to an established colony give rise directly to the mycelial state. In Auricularia auricula-judae and A. mesenterica basidiospores on malt agar develop germ-tubes which grow into vegetative hyphae. When stranded on the hymenium, basidiospores germinate by repetition, but in close contact with an established mycelium on agar they germinate to form conidiophores. Basidiospores of Tulasnella cystidiophora that become deposited on the hymenium germinate by repetition. On malt agar, however, most germinate to produce short conidiophores from which stellate conidia are formed in succession. These patterns of ballistospore germination are considered in relation to those found in other basidiomycetes.