Description of conidia from submerged cultivation of Thermomyces lanuginosus for use as a uniform inoculum

Conidia produced by submerged cultivation of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus were superior to conidia from agar plates when used as inoculum, due to a faster and more synchronous germination. With conidia derived from submerged liquid culture at 40-45 degrees C more than 90% germination was achieved at 50 degrees C within 3 h whereas the same percentage germination was only achieved after 5 h incubation of conidia produced on agar plates. The temperature during conidial formation, and conidial age at the time of harvesting, were factors influencing germination of the conidia.