MEIOTIC-LIKE RECOMBINATION IN VEGETATIVE DIKARYONS OF SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE

Abstract

ABSTRACT A total of 65 Schizophyllum commune dikaryons of three different geno-types were synthesized, maintained on agar plates, prevented from fruiting, and macerated. The macerate was plated. Germlings of homokaryotic morphology were isolated using no chemical or genetic selection, grown, and tested for recombinant genotypes. Crossover types were plentiful among the homokaryons with recombinant genotypes, indicating that meiotic-like processes in vegetative dikaryons are common and may be as important as conventional basidial meiosis in the origin of recombinant strains.