What is dikaryophase?

Dikaryophase is the phase in the life cycle of certain fungi where each cell contains two nuclei, one from each parent, without immediate fusion.

In fungi like basidiomycetes and ascomycetes, sexual reproduction involves a unique stage called dikaryophase. After plasmogamy (fusion of cytoplasm), the nuclei of two parent cells remain separate instead of fusing right away. As a result, the cell has two different nuclei, which is called a dikaryon. This phase can last for a short time or for most of the fungal life cycle, depending on the species.

Characteristics of dikaryophase

• Each cell has two haploid nuclei.
• Nuclei belong to different parents.
• Fusion of nuclei (karyogamy) occurs later to form a diploid nucleus.
• Found in advanced fungi like basidiomycetes (mushrooms).

This phase is important because it increases genetic variation and is a key step before spore formation in fungi.