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Ecological Aspects of Ascospore Discharge in Gibberella zeae. A. T. Tschanz, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853; R. K. Horst(2), and Paul E. Nelson(3). (2)Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853; (3)Professor, Fusarium Research Center, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. Phytopathology 65:597-599. Accepted for publication 22 January 1975. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-597.

Ascospore discharge from perithecia of Gibberella zeae, incubated under controlled environment conditions, is initiated during an atmospheric moisture saturation deficit. If mature ascospores are present, ascospore discharge is regulated by perithecial dehydration. Ascospore maturity appears to be light dependent. Ascospore discharge is inhibited if a saturation deficit is preceded only by a period of darkness.