Experiments using natural substrates and artificial media were categorized into three groups. Using experiments in these three categories, we investigated dispersion, invasion sequence, and decomposing ability of ammonia fungi in the field on natural substrates. Spore germination and vegetative and reproductive growth of ammonia fungi derived from monocultures and five-species cultures were assessed on natural substrates and on artificial media. These features assist understanding of the colonization and successive occurrence of ammonia fungi in the field based on estimation of interactions among the fungi and the physiological characteristics of each ammonia fungus. The sequential colonization and fruiting of ammonia fungi in the field can be explained primarily by the preference or tolerance of a species to high concentrations of ammonium-N under alkaline to neutral conditions. Succession of ammonia fungi results from their sequential colonization associated with the time needed for each fungus to produce reproductive structures. Colonization likely initiates from mycelia and/or spores preinhabiting the soil and from newly invading airborne propagules. Duration of occurrence of ammonia fungi in the field is shortened by the interactions among them. Saprobic ammonia fungi are the principal agents of litter decomposition under alkaline to neutral conditions.

Those fungi that have been linked to the gasteroid genus Scleroderma by molecular techniques are discussed in relation to secondary metabolites, development, spore morphology, and anatomy. The group contains epigeous and hypogeous components and sequestrate and boletoid members. An intratribal classification is proposed to accommodate these life forms.

Among soil microorganisms, yeasts have received little attention as biocontrol agents of soil-borne fungal plant pathogens in comparison to bacterial, actinomycetes, and filamentous fungal antagonists. The mechanisms of action of potential antagonism by yeasts in relation to soilborne fungal plant pathogens are expected to be similar to those involved with pathogens of aerial parts of the plant, including leaves and fruits. Several taxa of yeasts have been recorded as endophytes in plants, with a small proportion recorded to promote plant growth. The ability of certain taxa of yeasts to multiply rapidly, to produce antibiotics and cell wall-degrading enzymes, to induce resistance of host tissues, and to produce plant growth regulators indicates the potential to exploit them as biocontrol agents and plant growth promoters. More than ten genera of yeasts have been used to control postharvest diseases, especially of fruits. Suppression of classes of fungal pathogens of fruits and foliage that are similar to those associated with soilborne fungal root pathogens, strongly suggests that yeasts also have potential for the biological control of diseases caused by soil-borne fungal plant pathogens, as is evident in reports of certain yeasts in suppressing some soil-borne fungal plant pathogens. This review explores the potential of soil yeasts to suppress a wider range of soil-borne fungal plant pathogens and to promote plant growth.

Three undescribed strains of basidiomycetous, anamorphic yeastlike fungi were isolated from Japanese pear fruits with a reddish stain collected in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The strains are classified in a single group and assigned to the genus Meira by conventional and chemotaxonomic studies. Sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions indicate that the strains represent a novel species with a close phylogenetic relationship to Meira geulakonigii and M. argovae. The name Meira nashicola sp. nov. is proposed for the strains (type strain PFS 002 = MAFF 230028 = CBS 117161).

A new Ciborinia causing sclerotial flower blight of cut-flower gentians (Gentiana triflora var. japonica and interspecific hybrids between related species or varieties) is described as Ciborinia gentianae on the morphological basis of sclerotia and apothecia. The characteristics of Ciborinia gentianae are (1) an abundant production of spermodochia in the hollow cavity of host stems; (2) flat and thin sclerotia produced beneath the epidermis and the inclusion of host vascular remnants within their medulla; (3) globose cells composed of ectal excipulum of apothecia; (4) elongated cells with a slight apical swelling in ectal excipulum at the apothecial margin; and (5) tetra nucleate ascospores. Asci and ascospores mounted in Melzer's reagent measured 156-208 × 8-12 μm and 11.8-15 × 5.5-7.1 μm, respectively.

Pseudocercospora cyatheae C. Nakash. & S. Inaba on Cyathea sp. as a new species is described. Three species belonging to the genus Cercospora and allied genera are newly added to the mycoflora of Japan. They are Cercospora armoraciae on Armoracia rusticana, Passalora passaloroides on Amorpha fruticosa, and Pseudocercospora nogalesii on Cytisus scoparius.