Growth regulation inCoprinus radiatus

Abstract

Some of the morphological and physiological parameters of stipe growth or elongation inCoprinus radiatus were investigated. During the development of the fruit body the number of cells in a row in the growing portion of the stipe doubled during the development of the button, and again during the phase of rapid stipe elongation. Also during the stage of rapid elongation the cells in the upper 2/3 of the stipe increased 6–8 fold in length. The existence of a growth regulator synthesized in the cap and exerting control over the stipe was demonstrated through decapitation experiments. The cap appears to be required for normal stipe development until the stipe reaches about 1/4 of its final length. Through decapitation and cap-stipe exchanges it was found that the cap produced growth regulator up to the time of autodigestion; however, the stipe responded to the regulator only during a brief period at the onset of elongation.