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The Physiology of Germination of Tilletia Teliospores. Edward J. Trione, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331; Phytopathology 63:643-648. Accepted for publication 11 December 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-643.

The germination of teliospores of Tilletia caries, the common bunt fungus, was studied on 3% agar medium. The thick, tough, spore wall is impermeable to lipid solvents and takes up water very slowly. Factors that reduced the permeability barrier of the wall, such as hydrolytic enzymes or lipid solvents, stimulated the spores to germinate about 5 hr sooner than controls. The emulsifier Tween 20 and dimethylsulfoxide both enhance permeability but both had an adverse effect on germination. Many substances reported to activate the germination of dormant fungal or bacterial spores were generally ineffective in reducing the dormancy of teliospores. Hydrated teliospores incubated for 24 hr or longer at 2 C did not germinate as early as cells hydrated at 22 C, but they did germinate at a faster rate once germination began. Light did not appear to enhance germination of teliospores that required only 3 to 4 days to germinate.