The lifecycle of basidiomycetes includes alternation of generations . Spores are generally produced through sexual reproduction, rather than asexual reproduction. The club-shaped basidium carries spores called basidiospores. In the basidium, nuclei of two different mating strains fuse (karyogamy), giving rise to a diploid zygote that then undergoes meiosis. The haploid nuclei migrate into basidiospores, which germinate and generate monokaryotic hyphae. The mycelium that results is called a primary mycelium. Mycelia of different mating strains can combine and produce a secondary mycelium that contains haploid nuclei of two different mating strains. This is the dikaryotic stage of the basidiomyces lifecyle and it is the dominant stage. Eventually, the secondary mycelium generates a basidiocarp, which is a fruiting body that protrudes from the ground; this is what we think of as a mushroom. The basidiocarp bears the developing basidia on the gills under its cap.
REFERENCES
Boundless. “Basidiomycota: The Club Fungi.” Boundless Biology. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 04 Dec. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/fungi-24/classifications-of-fungi-150/basidiomycota-the-club-fungi-595-11814/
Boundless. “Basidiomycota: The Club Fungi.” Boundless Biology. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 04 Dec. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/fungi-24/classifications-of-fungi-150/basidiomycota-the-club-fungi-595-11814/