Int. J. Dev. Biol. 34: 319 - 322 (1990)

Vol 34, Issue 2

Light-driven diurnal zonation in the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani

Published: 1 June 1990

J Das and H G Busse

Biochemisches Institut, Medizinischen Fakultät, Christian Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany.

Abstract

Zonation in growing mycelia of Fusarium solani was induced by diurnal light/dark cycles. Only those parts of the hyphae that grew in darkness for less than 20 hours developed a zone of conidia after illumination. In continuous darkness, in continuous illumination, or after a transition from light to darkness, a conidiation zone failed to appear. Only light periods exceeding a few seconds but lasting less than 21 hours during a 24 hour light/dark cycle induced zonation. This zonation was not caused by periodic staling of the growth medium.