Effect of carbon–nitrogen ratios on production of perithecia by Sordaria fimicola

Abstract

The influence of carbon: nitrogen (atom: atom) ratios on production of perithecia by Sordaria fimicola was examined. Media contained KNO3 at concentrations of 12 mM, 24 mM, or 48 mM, and glucose or maltose at concentrations providing carbon: nitrogen ratios of 1:10, 1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, and 30:1. At each concentration of KNO3 numbers of perithecia were greatest on media with an initial carbon: nitrogen ratio of 5:1 or 10:1. There was no evidence that the effect of the carbon: nitrogen ratio on the development of perithecia was directly exerted through effects on the amount of growth, the cessation of growth, or the exhaustion of exogenous carbohydrate.