BIPOLAR INCOMPATIBILITY IN THE HYMENOMYCETE POLYPORUS PALUSTRIS

The basic features of bipolar incompatibility in the hymenomycete, Polyporus palustris (Berk. and Curt.), have been investigated by a comparison of compatible and incompatible interactions leading to the formation of dikaryons and common-factor heterokaryons, respectively. Nuclear migration is severely restricted and nuclear pairing and conjugate nuclear division fail to occur in the interaction of incompatible homokaryons. It is suggested that the single incompatibility factor of P. palustris combines the functions of the two incompatibility factors of tetrapolar species.