Effects of different factors on the sporulation of Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock.

The present study emphasizes the effects of different qualities of visible light, intensities of white light, temperature and pH on the sporulation in the green alga Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock. Of the different qualities of light used, green light was found to delay the initiation of sporulation. Percentage of sporulation was greatly decreased in yellow light followed by red light. Delay in time taken for initiation of sporulation and decrease in percentage sporulation were observed at 0.25 and 0.5 K lux intensity of white light. Sporulation upto the extent of its natural population was achieved with white light between 2 to 3.5 K lux, temperature between 20 to 30 degrees C and pH between 4-9.