LAB 5

Topic: A survey of mitosporic fungi

Objective: To become more familiar with the microscope and  to gain a general idea about the morphology of mitosporic fungi.

Material:

1.           Cultures of fungi with spores. Various Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes

2.           Olympus compound microscope.  One is available with an attached camera.

 3.        A kit containing microscope slides, cover slips, needles, and transfer loops.

 4.        Immersion oil and dropper bottles for water to suspend specimens. 

 5.        Lens paper for cleaning objectives, and Kim wipes for working with microscopic slides and specimens.

  6:      Bunsen burner, dissecting needle.

Procedures:

1: Slide mounting procedures were the same as previously describe. Use compound microscope to observe the hyphae and conidia.

Observation:

Fig.1 Botrytis cinerea. The conidia looks hyaline borne on grey.

Fig.2 Collectotrichom coccolles. The Conidia are straight, fusiform, attenuated at the ends, 16-22 X 3-4 um.

Fig. 3 Curvularia.sp Conidia are pale brown, with three or more transverse septa (phragmoconidia) and are formed apically through a pore.

Fig. 4 Epicoccum sp Spores are dark brown, globose and muriform (septa in both directions, like a soccer ball)

Fig. 5 Nigrospora.sp.  Globose spores.

Discussion:

The mitosporic fungi are consisted by a large and heterogenous group of fungi whose common characteristic is the absence of a sexual state. Many of the pathogenic fungi in humans and plants belong to this group.

Many crops fungi pathogen are belonged to this group, thus it is very important to diagnose and control them in the field. Used microscope to diagnose is much readily and time saving. So as a plant pathology student, it is necessary to familiar with the morphology of these certain of mitosporic fungi.