Differentiation in Species of Allomyces: The Production of Sporangia

Abstract

Conditions have been defined for the production of sporangia by vegetative plants of Allomyces species. Diploid plants produced zoosporangia and released spores in 3-4 hr at 32°C. Haploid plants produced sexual spores in a similar period. The chief factor controlling differentiation to produce sporangia was the supply of amino acids. Amino acid deficiency induced sporogenesis but individual amino acids varied in their efficiency in delaying differentiation and ammonium salts were ineffective. The process of sporangium production required adequate aeration and plants had previously to have been cultivated with adequate thiamine and glucose or to have these nutrients supplied.