Isolation and morphological characterization of a conidia-formingClaviceps paspali mutant

A morphological mutant ofClaviceps paspali can produce a significant amount of conidia in the production phase of the fermentation process. The mutant was isolated after γ- irradiation of a high-production mycelial strain. Differences in the morphology between the isolate and the parent strain were significant especially in submerged cultures. It was also proved that conidiation is not favorable for alkaloid production which was markedly reduced.