On the Validation of Yeniaceae in Ustilaginales
菰黑粉菌科(Yeniaceae)的确认问题

The present study deals with some factors influencing the mode of teliospore germination of Yenia esculenta (P. henn.) Liou (Ustilago esculenta P. Henn.) which is parasitic on water bamboo Zizania caduciflora (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz.]. The hyper- trophied, immature smutted shoots of Z. caduciflora is used as a delicate vegetable in China. Factors such as temperature, light, hydrogen-ion concentration, nutrient and oxy- gen play an important role in spore germination. Evidences have been obtained to show that morphological changes of basidiosporophore (conidio-promycelium) have been observed under some unfavorable conditions e. g., higher temperature, higher hydrogen-ion concentration, poor nutrient, complete darkness, etc. The morphology of the basidio-promycelium, however, remains unaffected. On the basis of this unique character, Liou (1949) proposed to erect a new genus (Yenia) for Ustilago esculenta and a new family (Yeniaceae) for the order Ustilaginales. According to present study, it seems to the writer that the validation of Yeniaceae is a reasonable and preferable proposal and merits recognition. The evolution and classification of the order are alsobriefly discussed.