Fungal spore germination

Condensation of coumaric acid with malonic acid yields the basic chalcone and stilbane skeletons (see Fig. 3.6). Stilbenes are found in most vascular plants, where they exhibit fungicidal and to a lesser extent antibiotic properties. They function as both constitutive and inducible defense substances. Some stilbenes inhibit fungal spore germination and hyphal growth, whereas others are toxic to insects and parasitic nematodes (round-worms). They also possess antifeeding and nematicide properties in mammals. For example, resveratrol (a stilbene in red wine) suppresses tumor formation in mammals. 

The reported stimulation of fungal spore germination by volatile compounds identified from plant sources (8) and the... 

Fig 1.9. A fungal spore germinates (a) the mycelium grows first by branching (a-d) then by anastomoses as well as branching (e). 

YODER D.L. and LOCKWOOD J.L. 1973. Fungal spore germination on natural and sterile soil. Journal of Gereral Microbiology, 74, 107-117. 

Sussman, A.S. 1976. Activators of fungal spore germination. In The Fungal Spore, eds. D.J. Webster W.M. Hess, pp. 99-110, John Murray, London. 

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