Germination of <i>Thelephora terrestris</i> basidiospores

Abstract

Thelephora terrestris basidiospores germinate slowly and sparsely on nutrient agar media if colonies of red yeast (Rhodotorula glutinis) or certain filamentous fungi are present together with the spores. Considerably faster germination at a higher percentage can be induced by seedling roots of pine and some other trees but not by roots of any herbs or grasses as yet tested. Germination is further improved if inhibitory compounds in the autoclaved agar medium are removed by means of activated charcoal. A consequence of these findings is that T. terrestris, which forms basidiocarps in pot culture and is an efficient ectomycorrhiza former, can be studied in all phases of its complete life cycle in the laboratory.