Variation in Cultural Conditions and Its Effect on Hyphal Fusion in Corticium vellereum

Abstract

Variation in temperature, medium formula and medium concentration produced statistically significant effects on the hyphal fusion behavior of the test fungus. Changes in the pH value of the medium produced no significant effect on fusion behavior. The requirements of the fungus for optimum growth were different from those for optimum fusion formation. A marked variation in hyphal fusion behavior was detected between 2 strains of the fungus. It is concluded that development of the technique for mass identification work is precluded by this variability between strains. The method remains of value as a supplement to existing techniques in the identification of single cultures and as an aid in the solution of certain taxonomic problems.