Effect of Light on Spore Discharge of Selected Basidiomycetes
Abstract
Abstract Following entrainment of nine selected species of basidiomycetes with alternating 12 h light and 12 h dark periods, circadian rhythms with nocturnal peaks of spore discharge were found to persist in continuous light or dark for periods of 4 −9 d. However, when light and dark periods were reversed following entrainment, Piptoporus belulinus. Panellus stipticus, Awicularia auricula and Dacrymyces deliquescens made immediate readjustment of their rhythms; Coriolus Dersicolor, Stereum hirsutum and Clitocybe nebularis took 24 h to readjust with peaks of spore discharge synchronized with the new dark time periods, while Ganoderma applanatum and Trametes betulina took 48 h to readjust. These reactions indicate exogenous rhythms