STUDIES ON THE FORMATION OF FRUITING BODIES IN THE BASIDIOMYCETE LENZITES SAEPIARIA

Studies have been conducted on fruiting body formation in the wood-rotting basidiomycete Lenzites saepiaria. Basidiospores were inoculated into a liquid malt extract medium and the mycelium was harvested after 48-72hr. Washed mycelium placed on cotton pads saturated with a defined medium developed fruiting structures in about 3 weeks. A source of carbohydrate, nitrogen, and phosphorous was essential for this morphogenesis. Spores produced under these conditions were identical in appearance and physiological properties to those obtained from wild basidiocarps.