Effect of Temperature of Storage on the Rate of Loss of Fertility of Stock Cultures of Melanospora destruens

Abstract

MYCOLOGICAL literature contains many references to loss of fertility by fungi in culture. During an investigation of the physiology of perithecial production in Melanospora destruens Shear, the strain became progressively less fertile. Fertile saltants developed in cultures grown at the relatively high temperature of 37° C. These were isolated and their growth-rates were compared with those of sterile saltants at various temperatures.