Abstract: A bioassay was developed to quantify germination rates of Hypocrea nigricans spores passing through the alimentary canals of the three acarid mite species Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Histiogaster sp. and Schwiebea sp. These mites are suspected of causing damage to mushroom production in Japan. All three species feed on the fungus and excrete fungal spores and fungal particles. Fecal material of the mites was plated on malt agar plates supplemented with 1% CuSO4 to assess spore germination. Germination rates, and hence the possibility for the mites to disseminate spores of H. nigricans, was so high that these mites may indeed be important vectors of weed fungal spores in indoor mushroom production units.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 11
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