ROLE OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE CONTROL OF FRUITING OF SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE.

Niederpruem, Donald J. (Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis). Role of carbon dioxide in the control of fruiting of Schizophyllum commune. J. Bacteriol. 85:1300-1308. 1963.-Compatible matings of Schizophyllum commune carried out in sealed chambers showed good vegetative growth and clamp-connection formation but fruiting was markedly inhibited. This inhibition was reversed by either aeration or the inclusion of alkali in the chambers. These phenomena occurred on a defined medium, with glucose as the primary carbon source, and were dependent on the level of carbohydrate employed. Gas mixtures of air-CO(2) (95:5) severely restricted the fruiting process when applied during mating or before the formation of fruit body primordia. It is proposed that respiratory CO(2) plays an important role in the regulation of form of S. commune.