Hyphal extension and branch initiation in Polyporus arcularius: a biolaser microsurgical investigation

Abstract

Procedures using a ruby biolaser to carry out microsurgical operations on growing hyphae are described. This method can be used to separate, destroy, or alter hyphal compartments without the necessity of transferring cultures. Separation of an apical compartment from its adjacent intercalary compartments was accompanied by a sudden but brief decrease in its elongation rate. Subsequently the previous extension rate of the hypha was reestablished. The duplication cycle in the apical compartment was not modified by the separation. Destruction of the apical compartment produced no detectable effect on the intercalary compartments. Treatment of hyphal tips induced a severe and permanent decrease in hyphal elongation and this was associated with the initiation of branches from the previously unbranched apical compartment. Treatment of the tip of a branched apical compartment did not have any persistent effect on the growth of its branches.