Growth and mycelial strand production of Rigidoporus lignosus with various nitrogen and carbon sources.

Growth and differentiation of mycelial strands in Rigidoporus lignosus have been shown to depend on suitable combinations of the pH of the media and the nature of the nitrogen and carbon sources. Amino acids as sole nitrogen sources gave rise to vegetative mycelium. At pH 4.5, growth and mycelial strand differentiation required asparagine, as the fungus failed to grow in the absence of this amino acid. However, at pH 6, differentiation of strands occurred appreciably in asparagine-deficient media, suggesting a close balance between pH and amino acid requirements. Ammonium was required for strand differentiation, while nitrate, as a sole nitrogen source, maintained the fungus undifferentiated. Of the carbohydrates tested, only glucose, fructose and mannose supported strand differentiation. Starch was found to be particularly effective in promoting growth of vegetative mycelium. Strand differentiation required more specific conditions than growth of the vegetative mycelium.