A Suspension Culture Method for the Rapid Mass Culture of Cistella japonica Mycelium

Different methods were investigated for the rapid mass culture of Cistella japonica by using water extracts of some nutritional sources. In an agar culture test, there was little difference in mycelial growth in water extracts of wheat bran, rice bran and potato. In suspension culture with wheat bran extract, which is easily and cheaply available, the mycelium of C. japonica increased seven times more than that in agar culture after a month’s incubation. C. japonica from suspension culture was pathogenic to Chamaecyparis obtusa. These results suggest that suspension culture in water extract of wheat bran can be adopted for the rapid mass culturing of C. japonica for use in inoculation tests.