What is the vegetative phase of fungi and what functions or things are included in this.

Vegetative phase of fungi is reproduction by fragmentation.    Vegetative reproduction:   The most common method of vegetative reproduction is fragmentation. The hypha breaks up into small fragments accidentally or otherwise. Each fragment develops into a new individual. In the laboratory the ‘hyphal tip method’ is commonly used for inoculation of saprophytic fungus.         In addition to above-mentioned common method of vegetative reproduction the fungi reproduced vegetatively by other means, such as fission, budding, sclerotia, rhizomorphs, etc. In fission, the cell constricts in the centre and divides into two giving rise to new individuals.
    The budding is commonly found in Saccharomyces. The buds arise from the protoplasm of the parent cells and ultimately become new individuals.     The sclerotia are resistant and perennating bodies. They survive for many years. Each sclerotium is cushion-like structure of compact mycelium. They give rise to new mycelia on the approach of favourable conditions.       As mentioned under the modified mycelium, the rope-like rhizomorphs are also resistant to unfavourable conditions and give rise to new mycelia even after several years on the approach of favourable conditions.