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Factors affecting discharge and germination of ascospores of Hypoxylon mediterraneum (De Not.) Mill.
Author(s) -
Vannini A.,
Paganini R.,
Anselmi N.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
european journal of forest pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1439-0329
pISSN - 0300-1237
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1996.tb00706.x
Subject(s) - germination , ascospore , biology , abiotic component , botany , ecology , spore
Summary Discharge and germination of ascospores of Hypoxylon mediterraneum (= Biscogniauxia mediterranea (De Not.) O. Kuntze) were studied. Discharge and germination of ascospores depend on the presence of water or high relative air humidity. Ascospores are ejected from stromata in forest for most of the year following periods of high precipitation. H. mediterraneum ascospores germinated under a wide range of biotic and abiotic conditions. The optimal temperature for germination was 35°C, but 25 and 30°C were still favourable, while 20 and 40°C reduced germination. Ascospores kept at 5°C were able to germinate after short exposure to temperatures ranging from 20 to 35°C. Germination rate depended on the ascospore density in in vitro experiments, and was highest at 10 6 ascospore/ml. Tissues of some host plants greatly increased germination rate. In vivo , ascospores germinated better on wounded axillary tissues than on unwounded ones.