The influence of nutrition on synnemata formation inHirsutella giganteahas been studied. A number of carbon sources were satisfactory but a "crude glucose" preparation was the best. Only two nitrogen sources gave good yields of synnemata and both were rather complex mixtures. Two other compounds, phosphoglyceric acid and gibberellic acid, both known stimulants of other morphological processes, also increased synnemata production.An apparent light requirement of synnemata formation may also be satisfied by some compound(s) in "crude glucose", liver fraction L, and autolyzed yeast. Phosphoglyceric acid and gibberellic acid were more effective stimulants in the dark than in the light.Synnemata were formed earlier and were more plentiful if the medium was inoculated by flooding rather than with a loop.A medium which will support the growth ofH. giganteaand the production of synnemata within 4 weeks has been formulated.It is concluded that the diversity of factors influencing synnemata formation indicates that the morphological differentiation is a multistep process which may be affected at several points.
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