Is Phytochrome Involved in the Light‐mediated Carotenogenesis in Fusarium Aquaeductuum and Neurospora Crassa?*

In the two fungal species (Fusarium and Neurospora) carotenogenesis has been described as a blue light effect. Generally, phytochrome was believed to be absent in fungi. Recently, work was reported suggesting that this might not strictly be the case. Therefore, we very thoroughly tested these two organisms for any red light effect on carotenogenesis. No action of phytochrome was found, either as a ‘low irradiance response’ or a ‘high irradiance response’. Also, no sequential interaction between blue and red light and between UV and red light was observed. Therefore, we conclude that phytochrome is not involved in carotenogenesis in Fusarium and Neurospora.