A RIND-ASSOCIATED FACTOR FROM SCLEROTIA OF SCLEROTINIA MINOR STIMULATES GERMINATION OF A MYCOPARASITE

Compounds that specifically stimulate germination of Sporidesmium scle rotivorum macroconidia have been isolated from the melanized outer lay er of Sclerotinia mirror sclerotia. The compound is a small hydrophobi c molecule that is able to pass through a 3000 Da filter and is heat-l abile in water. Three fractions were resolved using reversed-phase hpl c. The component with presumed biological activity in soil is sparingl y soluble in water. It has been given the trivial name 'sporigermin'. This is the first report describing the isolation of a compound from a host fungus that acts as a specific signal to stimulate germination o f a mycoparasitic fungus.