[Effect of light on the development of Saccobolus platensis]

The ascomycetous fungi Saccobolus platensis requires light for apothecial production. Photoinduction could be accomplished by continuous light and also by minor light periods. When apothecia were photoinduced by single 24 hour photoperiods, the effect varied according to the stage of development of the mycelium: it was most photoreceptive at the 5th day of growth. At this stage a single 6 hour irradiation was enough to induce 50% fructifications of the control (continuous light). After photoinduction, protoapothecia reached maturity independently of light treatment. Light quality influenced both apothecial number and size. Near ultraviolet light was the most effective for the induction of apothecia, followed by blue light; the maximum apothecial size was reached under blue light.