Wheat dwarf smut, caused by Tilletia controversa (TCK), is a dangerous fungal wheat disease that is highly destructive and difficult to eradication, possessing a significant impact. The disease is known as “No. 1 disease of wheat”, and is listed as a quarantine pest by European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), Australia, China and other countries/regions and organizations. Due to difficulties for distinguishing TCK from other closely related species such as Tilletia laevis in levels of morphological characteristics and molecular biology, misdiagnosis easily happen in quarantine inspections. In this study, TCK-specific molecular markers were developed at the genomic level, and four candidate genes, namely OG0008430, OG0008601, OG0008603 and OG0008610, were screened. Eight pairs of primers and four probes based on these four candidate genes were designed. Validation of combinations among the primers and probes were verified, and two sets of “triple + single” real-time fluorescence PCR methods were established. This combined method can effectively distinguish target species (TCK) from closely related species, achieving accurate identification of TCK, and it can also be used to distinguish different species within the genus Tilletia.

The C₂H₂ zinc finger transcription factor AZF1 in fungi has multiple biological functions such as regulating growth and development, secondary metabolism synthesis, and pathogenicity, however, the functions of this homologous protein in Aspergillus flavus is still unclear. Homology comparison revealed that the protein encoded by AFLA_054800 shares 50% homology with the AZF1 protein in Trichoderma reesei, and it was named AflAZF1. This study found that the colony size of the AflAZF1 gene deletion strain (ΔAflAZF1) was not significantly different from that of the wild type, but the conidiation was significantly reduced, and the sclerotia could not form. The production of aflatoxin AFB₁ in the ΔAflAZF1 strain was significantly increased. When glucose, arabinose, mannose, sucrose, and xylose were used as carbon sources, the conidiation ability of the ΔAflAZF1 strain was significantly decreased, but it was significantly increased in lactose and glycerol. Additionally, under pH 5 and pH 11 conditions, the number of conidia in the ΔAflAZF1 strain was significantly lower than that in the wild type. The results indicate that AflAZF1 not only regulates conidiation and sclerotial formation and AFB₁ biosynthesis, but also modulates the utilization of different carbon sources and adaptation to extreme pH conditions by affecting conidiation ability. This discovery not only reveals the key role of AflAZF1 in the growth and development and toxin synthesis of A. flavus, but also provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of A. flavus contamination and the development of new biological control strategies.

Qiyunshan National Nature Reserve, situated in eastern and southern China's biogeographical regions, exhibits unique geography and diverse vegetation, indicating high potential fungal diversity. To elucidate macrofungal species composition, geographical floristic diversity, and ecological functions of macrofungi in this region, comprehensive field surveys and specimen collections were conducted from 2022 to 2024 using line transect methodology and random sampling. Specimens were identified via integrated morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. A total of 302 macrofungal species was recorded and classified into 8 classes, 22 orders, 68 families, and 145 genera within the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Species richness analysis revealed that seven families (e.g., Boletaceae, Polyporaceae, and Russulaceae) were dominant, accounting for 43.71% of total identified species, and 13 dominant genera (e.g., Russula, Entoloma, and Inocybe) comprised 33.77% of the total species. Ecological and economic functional assessment showed 59 species were putatively edible (19.54%), 39 putatively medicinal (12.91%), 45 poisonous (14.90%), and 98 mycorrhizal (32.45%). Genus-level geographical funga composition analysis revealed nine distribution patterns, of which cosmopolitan elements predominated (53.10%), followed by north temperate (17.24%) and pantropical (13.79%) elements, corroborating the regionally transitional character of mycobiota. Based on the “Redlist of China's Biodiversity—Macrofungi” and relevant IUCN criteria, one vulnerable (VU) and one near threatened (NT) species were recognised. Besides, 11 species were endemic to China, highlighting the significant conservation values of the region. This study provides critical data for targeted conservation and sustainable utilization of the fungal resources of the region.

The informal term ‘dahongjun' or ‘big red mushroom' is a group of red-coloured russulas widely collected and consumed in southern China, originally mistakenly recognized as the European Russula vinosa. Russula griseocarnosa was described from China in 2009, and since then, it has become the only available scientific name for ‘dahongjun'. Nevertheless, several lineages exist within this complex, and whether these lineages represent real species is still an open question. Sampling in major producing areas of ‘dahongjun' and phylogenetic species recognition using multi-locus data were conducted. Besides R. griseocarnosa nine additional species were identified under the commercial name ‘dahongjun', including R. dhakuriana, R. quercina, R. purpureozonata, R. yanheensis and a new species sister to R. griseocarnosa here described as R. occulta. The others were undescribed species close to R. laricina, R. lepida, and R. purpureozonata respectively. Six evolutionary lineages within R. griseocarnosa were defined by genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition based on five-locus DNA data. Conflicts among different genealogies suggested that R. griseocarnosa is best considered as a single phylogenetic species, comprising several infraspecific taxa. Lower coverage whole genome sequencing of R. griseocarnosa holotype discovered that its three individuals belong to three different clades. Lectotypification was made using one of the three individuals. A new variety R. griseocarnosa var. ailaoshanensis is described to name one of the terminal clades that is mainly distributed in Ailao Mountains. This variety differs morphologically from the type variety in its nearly white context, bigger spores and more inflated hyphae in the pileipellis. The morphological and molecular data provided in this study are helpful to identify wild edible mushrooms of Russula subgen. Russula.

Species of Cantharellus are world-renowned edible fungi, capable of forming symbiotic relationships with various plants, including Pinaceae, Fagaceae, and Betulaceae. The genus is mainly characterized by its veined, ridged, or smooth hymenophore and is a crucial taxonomic group in the phylogenetic study of macrofungi. In China, 83 names of Cantharellus species have been recorded, but some of them are inaccurate. Based on extensive specimen collections and comprehensive literature review, combined with morphological observations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of nrLSU, tef1, rpb2 and SSU, 35 species of Cantharellus present in China are confirmed, and 35 previously reported names are determined to be incorrect and excluded, in addition, 13 species with uncertain distributions are discussed in this study. A geographical distribution map of Cantharellus species in China is presented. This paper provides an important foundation for accurately understanding the species diversity and geographical distribution of Cantharellus in China.

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal and edible fungus traditionally used for treating diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, and related disorders. In this study, by use of solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques (reversed-phase silica gel, normal-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20), eight compounds were isolated from I. obliquus. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as gallic acid (1), syringic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (4), inotodiol (5), cortinellin (6), lanosterol (7), and peroxide ergosterol (8). Anti-allergic activity assays demonstrated that inotodiol (5) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation at concentrations of 4.96, 9.92, and 15.50 μmol/L, with inhibition rates of 51.03%, 30.53%, and 23.07%, respectively, indicating potent anti-allergic efficacy. Notably, inotodiol (5) exhibited unobserved cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 15.50 μmol/L, highlighting its potential as a candidate for novel anti-allergic drug development.

Ophiocordyceps is a diverse, widely distributed, and host-rich genus of entomogenous fungi, with over 400 species reported to date. The Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan of southwestern China, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, represent a major center of diversity for this genus. In this study, we describe a new species of Ophiocordyceps from Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan, designated Ophiocordyceps paraisarioidea sp. nov., based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses using both single ITS sequences and a combined dataset of five loci (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2). Morphologically, this species is prone to misclassification as Paraisaria in virtue of stromatal structure, but it differs by having darker stromata, a spherical fertile part with apical protuberances, and multiseptate non-disarticulating ascospores. Five-gene phylogenetic analyses place O. paraisarioidea in the basal clade of Ophiocordyceps, clustering with Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza. Nevertheless, the two species exhibit notable differences in morphology and host preference: O. paraisarioidea has dark brown stroma with grayish-white tips and parasitizes lepidopteran larvae, whereas O. entomorrhiza forms nearly black stromata and infects both larvae and adults of coleopteran insects (Carabus sp.). Notably, the lepidopteran host of O. paraisarioidea challenges the prevailing hypothesis that Coleopterans represent the ancestral hosts of Ophiocordyceps, implying the occurrence of multiple host shifts during the early evolutionary history. The discovery of O. paraisarioidea may provide valuable insight into the origin and early diversification of this genus.

Cultivation of the wild Inocutis levis isolated from Populus euphratica in Xiaoguai Town in Karamay of Xinjiang was carried out. It was found that using starch and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, with the addition of KH₂PO₄ as inorganic salt, the fungus grew well under pH 9 and 35 ℃ conditions. During liquid cultivation, polysaccharide, polyphenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, scavenging abilities for free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the fungus were determined. The results provide basic data for the protection, evaluation, development, and utilization of this wild medicinal fungus resources in the future.

A wild white macrofungi collected from Leye County of Guangxi was identified as albino Oudemansiella raphanipes through morphological observation and molecular analysis. Optimal conditions for mycelial growth, including carbon source, nitrogen source, pH and temperature were determined using single-factor and orthogonal tests. The results showed that the suitable carbon source and nitrogen source were fructose (30 g/L) and yeast extract powder (8 g/L), respectively. The suitable pH and temperature were 8.0 and 25 ℃ respectively. The optimum combination condition for vigorous growth was fructose of 20 g/L, yeast extract powder of 6 g/L, pH of 7.0 and temperature of 25 ℃. Expanded bag-cultivation trials with 15 cm × 26 cm cultivation bag revealed that the bagful mycelial colonization time, in substrate containing 78% sawdust, was about 25 days, and subsequent cultivation for approximately 20 days resulted in appearance of the brown mottlement. The mushroom button arose approximately 60 days after soil-covering soil on the split of upside-down mushroom bag, and the fruiting bodies could be harvested after 4-6 days of subsequent cultivation. The average fresh fruiting body weight was 41.83 g/bag and the average biological efficiency was 16.09% in two fruiting stages. Albino O. raphanipes was susceptible to Trichoderma harzianum, with 33.04% inhibition rate before contact and 95.55% infection rate after contact. This research provides a theory reference for extended development and utilization of an albino O. raphanipes.

China is a large country in the production of edible fungi. In order to further enhance the industrial innovation ability, increasing the basic research on edible fungi is the key breakthrough point. In recent years, with the rapid development of biotechnology, omics-drive research on edible fungi has shifted from phenotype description to systematic mechanism analysis. The application of single omics technology has achieved extensive progress in the genetic basis, gene regulation, protein dynamics, metabolic pathways, and phenotypic analysis of edible fungi. However, the problems of one-sided and fragmented data of single omics can be addressed only through integrated analysis of multi-omics. Therefore, multi-omics technology has gradually become the core driver for the paradigm shift in research on genetic breeding of edible fungi. Although the current research still faces challenges such as data quality, functional verification, computing resources, and integration complexity, future researches should focus on innovations in underlying technologies, AI-driven approaches, cross-scale integration, the construction of resource platforms, etc. Continued promotion of deep integration and innovative application of multi-omics will facilitate high-quality development of the industry of edible fungi, thereby meeting the needs of food security and public health.