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Microecology: Using fast-growing filamentous fungi to study the effects of environmental gradients on the growth patterns of hyphae

This paper describes some simple and rapid techniques for examining the growth responses of fungal hyphae cultivated on environmental gradients. The creation of such gradients using agar-based growth media in petri dishes is explained, along with recommendations for quantitative macroscopic and microscopic measurements. The intention is to provide a laboratory model of the influences of environmental factors on fungal/plant growth, on a timescale that allows results to be obtained in 12 hours. The paper includes a review of the growth mechanisms of the fungal hypha tip, as well as suggestions for student investigations.