HEAT ACTIVATION OF BYSSOCHLAMYS FULVA ASCOSPORES

Abstract

Activation of Byssochlamys fulva ascospores was influenced by temperature and the suspending medium. At 60 C maximal activation occurred in hydrochloric and nitric acid solutions. Both the concentration of hydrogen ions and the type of anion were critical; little activation was achieved above pH 1.6, and pH 1 solutions of sulfuric and phosphoric acid were not stimulatory. Storage of activated spores as aqueous suspensions at 32 C resulted in about a 50% reversion to a dormant state.