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Germination of Basidiospores of Fomes applanatus. T. S. Brown, Jr., Former Graduate Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802; W. Merrill, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. Phytopathology 63:547-550. Accepted for publication 26 October 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-547.

Up to 78% of the basidiospores of Fomes applanatus collected from sporophores in nature germinated within 1 week on artificial media containing glucose, but only in the presence of certain bacteria, fungi, yeasts, or volatiles from colonies of Ceratocystis fagacearum. Culture filtrates of certain yeasts stimulated spore germination. Germination rarely occurred under other conditions, and never was greater than 1%. Propyl, ethyl, or sodium acetates did not induce germination, nor did ethanol, any of 14 vitamins tested, kinetin, indoleacetic acid, CO₂, isovaleric acid, acetaldehyde, or isoamyl alcohol.