An investigation of the effects of light on basidiocarp formation of Coprinus domesticus

Coprinus domesticus, grown on a synthetic agar medium, failed to produce primordia and basidiocarps unless exposed to light. Lightdark cycles are not required for maturation of basidiocarps. Short exposure to white light induced primordia, but a longer exposure was necessary for primordia to develop into basidiocarps. The length of exposure to light was related inversely to the length the stipe finally attained. Young basidiocarps were phototropic, growing towards the light. The mycelium of cultures were dark brown following exposure to white and blue light, but the mycelium was light yellow in cultures grown in darkness. The blue end of the visible spectrum at intensities ranging from 1.5–3 × 10⁴ ergs/cm²/sec induced mature basidiocarps, whereas green, red and far red failed to induce basidiocarps and primordia.Department of Biology contribution no. 90