Ohta (1994) reported that Lyophyllum shimeji classified as an ectomacorrhizal fungus similar to Tricholoma matsutake forms mature fruit-bodies without a host plant in a bottle containing a barley grain cultivation medium. Therefore, the amylase production systems of L. shimeji based on the utilization of barley starch as a growth substrate were examined. Results showed for the first time that the purified amylase is a glucoamylase that has a high hydrolyzing potential. From this point of view, the saccharide substrate hydrolyzing enzymes of T. matsutake were also investigated. This fungus produced α-amylase and α−glucosidase at low levels in the stationary culture filtrate. However, glucoamylase activity was not present and β−glucosidase demonstrated strong activity in the stationary culture filtrate. These enzymes have previously been purified and characterized and the presence of β−glucosidase suggests this fungus is saprotrophic abilities. A pattern for the T. matsutake carbohydrase production system is proposed, and the weak points of the fungus under artificial cultivation are discussed. In addition, the possibilities of using the potent β−glucosidase activity as a glucose supply for artificial cultivation is discussed.

Fungal defence against mushroom-feeding Collembola was studied. Field observations and experiments showed that the mushroom-feeding collembolan Ceratophysella denisana chooses food fungus species based on its preference for fruiting bodies, suggesting that fruiting body characteristics affect food choice by C. denisana and may play roles in fungal defence. Further observations suggest that C. denisana potentially reduces fungal fitness by damaging spores, rather than increasing fitness by dispersing spores via gut passage. In the ascomycetes Ciborinia camelliae and Spathularia flavida, repulsion of C. denisana by fruiting bodies in response to injury has been discovered. The bioactivity is suspected to be involved in food avoidance of C. denisana and defence by the ascomycetes. In the basidiomycetes Russula bella and Strobilurus ohshimae, we found that their cystidia are capable of killing C. denisana on contact and can act as a defence by reducing attacks of C. denisana on spore-bearing gills.

Within kingdom Fungi, the nectrioid fungi are a group that includes members of the families Bionectriaceae and Nectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota). The nectrioid fungi are characterized by small-size (about 0.3 mm in diam.), light to bright color, soft-textured perithecia, unitunicate asci, ascospores with articulated cells and various phialidic anamorphs. Some are plant pathogens that cause serious damage to agricultural crops, and some act as effective agents for biological control of disease. These fungi also produce powerful antibiotics, and some produce potent and harmful mycotoxins. The objective of this study was to explore the taxonomic studies of Asian nectrioid fungi with a focus on Japanese species. The taxonomic history, biology, characteristics and nomenclature of nectrioid fungi were examined using past herbarium and newly collected specimens. Collections of 57 species belonging to 16 genera were identified in 555 isolates based on recent taxa. One new genus and 11 new species were described. Forty two species were transferred to an appropriate genus, species or variety. Differences in the number of ascospores per ascus were shown to be an important character for distinguishing groups. A comprehensive dichotomous key of the genera of Japanese nectrioid fungi was included.

Five boleticolous Hypomyces species and their Sepedonium anamorphs collected in Japan are described and discussed: H. melanocarpus, H. transformans, H. chlorinigenus, H. chrysospermus and H. microspermus. The former two species are newly reported to Japan. Tylopilus valens, which is endemic to Japan, was reported as a new host of H. melanocarpus. Differences in two similar species, H. chrysospermus and H. microspermus, are discussed.

A fungal strain (SUM 3330) isolated from spoiled fruit products was morphologically and phylogenetically identified as Neosartorya paulistensis. This fungus grew well and produced a profuse number of ascomata and ascospores, and was white to pale yellow on Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA), malt extract agar (MEA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). The thermal death time tube method for heat resistance showed most ascospores of this fungus were highly resistant with D-values (in grape juice) of 48.6 min at 83℃, 16.2 min at 85℃ and 6.9 min at 87℃,and a z-value of 4.4℃ in grape juice. These results suggest that the fungus can survive even after heat processing of raw fruit materials, and demonstrates the need to consider the efficacy of thermal processing schemes in achieving desired levels of sterility when changes are made in product formulas.

Two Inocybe species collected in Tanabe, Wakayama by K. Minakata were Inocybe subgeophylla Henn. and Inocybe nobilis (R. Heim) Alessio. Both species are new to Japan.

Teleomorphs of powdery mildew fungi were newly recorded in Japan on seven plant species, viz. Podosphaera clandestina var. clandestina on Spiraea dasyantha, Erysiphe schizophragmatis on Hydrangea petiolaris, E. izuensis on Rhododendron reticulatum, E. viciae-unijugae on Vicia venosa subsp. cuspidate var. subcuspidata, Neoerysiphe galeopsidis on Lamium amplexicaule, Golovinomyces orontii on Galium spurium L. var. echinospermon （Wallr.） Hayek and Phyllactinia alni on Hamamelis japonica var. bitchuensis. Of these, H. petiolaris, R. reticulatum, V. venosa f. minor and H. japonica var. bitchuensis were new host plants for powdery mildews in the world.

Bovista ochrotricha, found among mosses on the bark of a living Japanese walnut Juglans mandshurica var. sieboldiana tree at Mt. Oikedake, Suzuka Mountains, Central Honshu, is described and illustrated as the first record in Japan. This species is characterized by its unique habitat, hair-like exoperidial hyphae and verrucose basidiospores.

Diderma meyerae H. Singer, G. Moreno, Illana & A. Sánchez was newly recorded in Japan. Detailed description with line drawings and SEM photographs are presented. This species is reported for the first time from Asia.