Vitamin B_1 contents of Lentinula edodes fruit bodies cultivated on substrates with vitamin B_1 hydrochloride using two techniques were examined in commercial production facilities. One is a standard technique in which cultivation bags are removed and the other is a new technique in which water is poured into between bags and substrates. In both cases, vitamin B_1 content in the fruit bodies grown on substrate containing vitamin B_1 hydrochloride were greater than those grown on substrates without. Similarly, vitamin B_1 content in Pleurotus ostreatus and Grifola frondosa fruit bodies cultivated on substrates containing vitamin B_1 hydrochloride were also higher than in fruit bodies grown on substrates without. Vitamin B_1 hydrochloride contents in pilei at the dry basis ofL. edodes and P. ostreatus fruit bodies grown on substrates with or without were greater than the contents in stipes.

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It is not yet known how meshimakobu (Phellinus linteus) is able to grow on yamaguwa (Morus bombycis), which has wood that is among the most resistant to degrade in Japan and why sterilization is required before meshimakobu inoculation in order to cultivate meshimakobu on bed logs of broadleaf trees such as kunugi (Quercus acutissima) and buna (Fagus crenata). We compared mycelial growth of meshimakobu with that of other wood-decaying fungi using wood meal media consisting of heartand sapwood from yamaguwa, buna and kunugi trees. Mycelial growth of meshimakobu was similar on sapwood from yamaguwa, buna and kunugi. However, except for meshimakobu, fungal growth of kawaratake (Coriolus versicolor), shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and ouzuratake (Fomitopsis palustris) was significantly depressed on yamaguwa heartwood, which contains high levels of the antifungal agent, oxyresveratrol. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that meshimakobu was only able to out compete other fungi on yamaguwa heartwood. Nonetheless, sterilization should be performed for meshimakobu cultivation on buna or kunugi to eliminate other competitive fungi.

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For log cultivation of Shiitake {Lentinula edodes), logs of Quercus serrata, Q. acutissima or other fagaceous species are used as substrates. In order to decrease the resistance response of the logs to Shiitake mycelial growth, trees are felled before a half of the leaves have turned yellow in autumn and then left for a month or more. This treatment is referred to as "Hagarashi" and it is thought that snow coverage of the logs during "Hagarashi" restores resistance response to Shiitake mycelial growth. Q. serrata logs that had undergone "Hagarashi" for various periods of time, or that had not undergone "Hagarashi", were divided into six groups according to treatment length. The logs were then covered with snow for 28 days from the 63th day after trees were felled down. The moisture content of the inner bark and sapwood, viability on inner bark and mycelial growth rate of Shiitake in the tissues were measured and compared between the groups, focusing on the changes in these measurements after snow coverage. "Hagarashi" was found to be effective in decreasing the moisture content of sapwood as well as inner bark, which was significantly lower in untreated logs. However, snow coverage caused a significant increase in viability and moisture content of inner bark. Shiitake mycelia exhibited vigorous growth in "Hagarashi" logs regardless of snow coverage.

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