Using an early-ripening strain (Marbure 88-8) of Hypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) Bigelow, the effects of the addition of three kinds of materials (powders of CaCO₃, scallop shell and egg shell) chiefly containing calcium carbonate, on the production and quality of fruit-bodies were examined. As a result, fruiting period was reduced, and fruit-body production was promoted by 10-70% with increasing addition of the CaCO₃ materials, although abnormal stipe elongation was often observed. These results suggest that the addition of CaCO₃ materials to the substrate is effective for the cultivation of early-ripening strains of H. marmoreus.

　The ecology and taxonomy of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) was studied in Pinus densiflora stands from 1992 to 1996. Mycorrhizas collected in the study period were observed microscopically and classified into 103 morphotypes based on the morphological characteristics that are stable at the fungal species level. Community analyses indicated that the study area had the highest species diversity of EMF among forest ecosystems. Among the EMF, Russula nigiricans and R. mariae were successfully induced to synthesize mycorrhiza in vitro. Since 1997 the author has studied the cultivation of edible EMF. Tricholoma matsutake was first found to form a typical Hartig net showing ectomycorrhiza, which subsequently synthesized mycorrhiza. Other tested EMF also produced mycorrhizal seedlings. Among them, Lactarius akahatsu, Rhizopogon rubescens, Tricholoma portentosum, and T. saponaceum were successfully induced to fruit with juvenile pine seedlings of around of 1 year old.

　Psathyrella laevissima found in Fukuoka Prefecture is described and illustrated as a first record of the species from Japan.