DEMARCATION LINES IN PAIRED CULTURES OF FOMES CAJANDERI AS A BASIS FOR DETECTING GENETICALLY DISTINCT MYCELIA

Abstract

A study of paired cultures of known parentage within the species Fomes cajanderi, has shown that the dark lines of demarcation which frequently form at the interface of paired colonies constitute a reliable basis for distinguishing genetically distinct mycelia. The presence or absence of demarcation lines as well as line intensity depends upon genetic relationship of the paired cultures and is independent of colony appearance. When cultures of the pair were distantly related demarcation lines formed 95–100% of the time. When cultures were of closest relationship lines formed approximately 50% of the time.