Some factors affecting the growth and sporulation of Chaetomium globosum and Memnoniella

SUMMARY: The influence of certain carbohydrates, nitrogen compounds and accessory substances on the growth and sporulation of Chaetomium globosum and Memnoniella echinata has been studied. It has been confirmed that M. echinata needs an external supply of biotin, which has also a slight effect on the growth of Chaetomiumglobosum. For C. globosum, a very low level of soluble sugar in the medium was essential for the production of perithecia. With adequate biotin, Memnoniella echilzata sporulated in the presence of considerable concentrations of sugar, but a t low biotin levels no sporulation occurred until soluble sugar approached exhaustion. Jute extract stimulated growth and accelerated sporulation of Chaetomium globosum; this was not due to the presence in the extract of any of nine well-known B-group vitamins. Jute extract had no more influence on Memnoniella echinata than would be due to its biotin content. In the course of an extensive survey of the cellulose-decomposing capacity of certain mildew-fungi, which commonly occur on textiles, i t was noticed that sporulation in some cases was markedly influenced by the nature of the cultur