Development of germ tube and infection peg begins. The development of appressoria then begins infection following the growth of a germ tube. Ultimately, it inhibits germ tube growth. Both ascospores and conidia germinate directly with a germ tube. Conidia that have gained access via a wound can germinate to form a germ tube. During germination, the germ tube typically erupts from the smaller cell. This germ tube may locate a stoma by a touch responsive process known as thigmotropism. The germ tube differentiates, grows, and develops by mitosis to create somatic hyphae. A germ tube is an outgrowth produced by spores of spore-releasing fungi during germination. The germ tube begins branching, leading to as many as three potentially conidia-forming germ tubes.