Germination of Basidiospores of Lycoperdon Species and Scleroderma lycoperdoides

Abstract

Basidiospores from the following spp. of Gasteromycetes have been germinated: Lycoperdon curtisii, L. marginatum, L. pusillum, and Scleroderma lycoperdoides. Basidiospores from the 3 Lycoperdon spp. germinated after 30 months'' storage at room temperature, +12 C and -18[degree]C. Basidiospores from 1 of these (L. pusillum), stored at -18[degree]C, germinated after at least 4 years. In the yeast co-culture method, germination of basidiospores of L. pusillum is affected by the number of spores per Petri dish; it varies greatly from 1 sporophore to another; and it varies within different areas of a sporophore, even though sporophores were collected, presumably all mature, from the same location, at the same approximate time and stored under identical conditions. The number of spores that germinate does not appear to be affected by the size of the sporophore.