Elongation growth and gravitropic curvature in the Flammulina velutipes (Agaricales) fruiting body

Abstract

Differential elongation of stipe hyphae drives the gravitropic reorientation of Flammulina velutipes (Agaricales) fruiting bodies. The gravitropic curvature is strictly dependent on the presence of the transition zone between pileus and stipe. Elongation growth, providing the driving force for curvature, is also promoted by the pileus. Gravitropic curvature is successfully suppressed by clinostatic rotation, but the elongation rate is not affected. Explantation of fruiting body stipes lowers curvature and elongation rates corresponding to explant size reduction. In Flammulina, 25 mm length of transition zone explants is an efficient size for reproducible curvature and elongation during 48- to 72-h curvature tests. Submersion of specimens in aqueous medium causes cessation of the gravitropic curvature, but does not affect elongation. Thus the involvement of a diffusible factor in transmission of the curvature signal is probable. Splitting the fruiting body stipe in segments of 1/8 diameter does not suppress the gravitropic response, and the segments are individually reoriented to the vertical. It is concluded that the graviresponse of the Flammulina fruiting body is based on cellular perception of the gravistimulus and that a differential growth signal is transmitted in the stipe by a soluble factor that regulates hyphal elongation.