CULTIVATION OF THE LICHEN PARMOTREMA-TINCTORUM IN GROWTH CABINETS

The growth of lichens in the field is slow and their cultivation is ge nerally thought to be difficult. We studied the effects of environment al conditions and culture solutions on the growth of a lichen, and fou nd that growth of Parmotrema tinctorum (Nyl.) Hale in growth cabinets was possible. The thallus area increased by about 20% monthly when the lichen was soaked in a culture solution for 90 min every four days an d then grown at 100% relative humidity when the temperature in the gro wth cabinet was 20C and illumination was at 12 W/m(2) for 16 hr daily.