Effect of extracts of Pyrenopeziza brassicae on the reproductive development of other species of fungi

Abstract

Studies on the effect of culture extracts were found to throw a new light on the reproductive strategies of fungi. It was confirmed that extracts of mated cultures of Pyrenopeziza brassicae stimulated the development of ascocarp-like structures and suppressed asexual sporulation in unmated cultures of the same species. In contrast, all culture extracts of P. brassicae, whether from mated or unmated cultures, affected the reproductive development of about 30 other species of fungi. In those species which are not known to reproduce sexually, the extracts stimulated asexual sporulation. In those species which are known only to reproduce sexually the effect of the extracts was to stimulate sexual reproduction, whereas in those species which are known to sporulate both sexually and asexually in culture, the effect of the extracts was to alter the balance in favor of sexual reproduction. In species which are known only to sporulate asexually, extract of uninoculated culture medium was as effective as the culture extracts in stimulating asexual sporulation, presumably by supplying or replenishing spent nutrients. The effect of medium extract on sexual reproduction was slight but not statistically significant, suggesting that other substances, such as morphogens, initiate and sustain the process.

Key Words:

• ascocarps
• Ascomycotina
• asexual reproduction
• Basidiomycotina
• morphogenesis
• mycelium
• sexual reproduction
• sporulation