The Role of Light in the Fruiting of Panus Fragilis

The role of light in the fruiting of Panus fragilis was explored under controlled temperature and light cycles. No fruiting occurred in the absence of light. A daily light cycle of 1.5 h at 792 ft-c was sufficient to produce fruiting initials, but not mature sporophores. Only at the longest daily light cycle tested, 12 h at 792 ft-c, were mature sporophores produced. The time required was 22–31 days with a daily fluctuating temperature cycle of 22 °C for 12 h followed by 8 °C for 12 h. The development of a pink pigment associated with fruiting initials and young sporophores was strongest at the longer light cycles and almost absent in the short cycles.