THE HETEROTHALLISM OF PANAEOLUS SUBBALTEATUS BERK., A SCLEROTIUM-PRODUCING AGARIC

Abstract

Panaeolus subbalteatus, an uncommon coprophilous agaric, has been grown in single-spore culture on malt-extract agar.The fungus is heterothallic, exhibiting four sexual groups and a remarkable regularity in its pairing reactions.Both haplophytes and diplophytes produce sclerotia of a striking greenish-blue color. These sclerotia are capable of producing mycelium, even after they have been dried for some weeks, but do not give rise to fruit bodies.The haplophyte is distinguishable macroscopically as well as microscopically from the diplophyte.The mycelia do not exhibit the phenomenon of mutual aversion or barrage.