Shanping Wan

Botryosphaeriaceae is the largest family in Botryosphaeriales, consisting of 22 genera. Members of this family have cosmopolitan distribution, occurring in various life modes: endophytic, saprobic and pathogenic, mainly associated with plants. This study aims to investigate plant-associated saprobic microfungi in Yunnan, China. Here, we establish two novel species in Dothiorella , namely D. fusiformis and D. swieteniae . Both sexual and asexual morphs are provided for D. fusiformis . Additionally, we report two new host records of Barriopsis archontophoenicis S. Konta, Boonmee & K.D. Hyde and D. camelliae W.Li Li & Jian K. Liu. Taxonomic boundaries were confirmed based on morphological characteristics coupled with phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses of combined SSU, LSU, ITS, β-tubulin and tef 1-α sequences. Furthermore, the detailed illustrations, comprehensive descriptions, and taxonomic justifications are provided for each species. This study expands our understanding of the taxonomy, diversity and ecological relationships of Botryosphaeriaceae species in China by introducing new species and reporting new host and geographic records.

Tuber encompasses ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) of significant ecological and economic importance. This study reports the first controlled synthesis of ectomycorrhizae between the near-threatened species T. umbilicatum and Quercus glauca, confirmed through molecular analysis and detailed morphological characterization. Colonization dynamics, assessed over eight months, revealed substantial physiological benefits for the host. At six months post-inoculation, seedling height and above-ground biomass increased by 20.8% and 27.1%, respectively; these increments persisted to eight months, with above-ground biomass remaining 16.9% higher and below-ground biomass elevated by 25.4%. Concomitantly, the photosynthetic performance was markedly improved: a net photosynthetic rate (A) rose by 136.8% and stomatal conductance (g_s) by 36.5% at six months. Available phosphorus (AP) in the mycorrhizosphere was concurrently enhanced, exhibiting a 10.9% increment at eight months. These results underscore the agronomic and conservation utility of T. umbilicatum inoculation for Q. glauca and provide a critically experimental foundation for the ex situ preservation and sustainable truffle cultivation of this threatened fungal taxon.

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form key symbioses with forest trees, strongly regulating plant nutrition and stress tolerance. This review synthesizes how ECM fungi redistribute plant-fixed carbon (C) in soil, interact with soil organic matter (SOM), and mediate the uptake and allocation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other macro- and micronutrients. We highlight mechanisms underlying ECM enhanced organic and mineral N and P mobilization, including oxidative decomposition, enzymatic hydrolysis, and organic acid weathering. Beyond C-N-P dynamics, ECM fungi also enhance acquisition and homeostasis of elements such as K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn, reshaping host nutrient stoichiometry, productivity, and soil microbial community composition. We further summarize multi-layered mechanisms by which ECM improve host plant resistance to pathogens, drought, salinity–alkalinity, and heavy metal stresses via physical protection, ion regulation, hormonal signaling, aquaporins, and antioxidant and osmotic adjustment. Finally, we outline research priorities, such as using trait-based, multi-omics, and microbiome-integrated approaches to better harness ECM in forestry and ecosystem restoration.

Rhizopogon, a globally distributed genus of edible ectomycorrhizal fungi, is the focus of this study. This study describes a new species, Rhizopogon qujingensis sp. nov., along with two newly recorded species of the genus Rhizopogon from China. The new species is distinguished from other known Rhizopogon species by its distinctly phylogenetic position and unique morphological characteristics, the species is characterized by comparatively smaller basidiomata, a peridium that exhibits yellow tinting after injury and contains red-brown pigment, along with smaller, narrowly oblong to elongate spores. Furthermore, R. rubescens and R. evadens are recorded for the first time in China, with their taxonomic status confirmed through integrated morphological and molecular analysis, thereby extending their known geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationships between Chinese Rhizopogon species and other taxa within the genus. This research contributes essential data for advancing the understanding of global Rhizopogon species diversity and biogeographic patterns.

The Excavatum Group of Tuber is relatively poorly studied worldwide. Through extensive exploration and research on truffles, we identified a new excavated truffle species, Tuber purpureum, based on morphological and molecular analyses (ITS-nrLSU concatenated dataset). The main characteristics of this species include yellow-brown ascomata that are covered with distinctly verrucose warts on the surface. The gleba is solid and purple when mature, with a marbled pattern of white veins. The asci are subglobose, ellipsoid, or irregular, sessile or with short stalks, and contain 1–6 spores. Here, we conducted thorough studies on species of the Excavatum group and supplemented key morphological characteristics of the known species T. neoexcavatum and T. magnameshanum of this group. Furthermore, we integrated global data to comprehensively analyze the morphological, molecular, ecological, and geographical distribution characteristics of the Excavatum group species. Our observations highlight the significantly underestimated diversity of the Excavatum group worldwide, greatly clarifying the resource potential and geographical distribution characteristics of this group, and further documenting the need for additional systematic focus on the group.

Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is a cornerstone of ecosystem health, facilitating nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and biodiversity maintenance in trees. Optimizing Pinus armandii–Tuber indicum mycorrhizal synthesis enhances the ecological stability of coniferous forests while supporting high-value truffle cultivation. This study conducted a pot experiment to compare the effects of three root nutrient regulations—Aolu 318S (containing N-P₂O₅-K₂O in a ratio of 15-9-11 (w/w%)), Aolu 328S (11-11-18), and Youguduo (19-19-19)—on the mycorrhizal synthesis of P. armandii–T. indicum. The results showed that root nutrient supplementation significantly improved the seedling crown, plant height, ground diameter, biomass dry weight, and mycorrhizal infection rate of both the control and mycorrhizal seedlings, with the slow-release fertilizers Aolu 318S and 328S outperforming the quick-release fertilizer Youguduo. The suitable substrate composition in this experiment was as follows: pH 6.53–6.86, organic matter content 43.25–43.49 g/kg, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen 89.25–90.3 mg/kg, available phosphorus 83.69–87.32 mg/kg, available potassium 361.5–364.65 mg/kg, exchangeable magnesium 1.17–1.57 mg/kg, and available iron 33.06–37.3 mg/kg. It is recommended to mix the Aolu 318S and 328S solid fertilizers evenly into the substrate, with a recommended dosage of 2 g per plant. These results shed light on the pivotal role of a precise N-P-K ratio regulation in fostering sustainable ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, offering a novel paradigm for integrating nutrient management with mycorrhizal biotechnology to enhance forest restoration efficiency in arid ecosystems.

A new species of false truffle was discovered in Zixishan Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. Through morphological examination and multigene phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and nrLSU sequences of the genus Gautieria, the species is described as Gautieria zixishanensis sp. nov., belonging to Gautieria sect. Hymenogastroides. This new species is characterized by its pseudoperidial basidiomata, with a basal depression connected to abundant white basal rhizomorphs, an intact tomentose pseudoperidium that remains attached when mature, the absence of foveate-porate structures and ridges, and light golden-brown basidiospores with longitudinal ridges, measuring 17–22 μm in length.

Tuber is a rare edible and medicinal fungus with a global distribution. The Macrosporum lineage within Tuber is a relatively small and infrequent clade, which has been receiving increasing attention due to the presence of an endangered species, T. gigantosporum. However, the species diversity, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution, and ecological characteristics of the Macrosporum group remain poorly understood. Through extensive sampling and combining the accurate and available global specimen and mycorrhizal data, 19 Tuber specimens from Southwest China were studied based on morphology, molecular systematics, and ecology. The specimens were identified as T. calosporum, T. glabrum, and T. sinomacrosporum within the Macrosporum group, with detailed descriptions provided, particularly supplementing the taxonomic features of T. glabrum. A classification key for the Macrosporum group species is also provided. The geographic distribution of specimens and diverse hosts suggest that the Macrosporum clade displays wider ecological adaptability. This study is important to better understand the diversity and conservation measures of Tuber resources throughout the world.

Based on a multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 and comprehensive morphological analyses, we describe three new species from the Melanosporum group of genus Tuber and synonymize T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum. Phylogenetically, the three newly described species, T. yunnanense, T. melanoumbilicatum and T. microexcavatum, differ significantly in genetic distance from any previously known species. Morphologically, T. yunnanense is distinctly different from its closest phylogenetically related species, T. longispinosum, due to its long shuttle-shape spores (average the ratio of spore length to spore width for all spores (Qm) = 1.74). Tuber melanoumbilicatum differs from the other species in having a cavity and long shuttle-shaped spores (Qm = 1.65). Although T. microexcavatum sampled ascomata have relatively low maturity, they can be distinguished from its closely related species T. pseudobrumale by the ascomata size, surface warts, and spore number per asci; additionally, phylogenetic analysis supports it as a new species. In addition, molecular analysis from 22 newly collected specimens and Genebank data indicate that T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum are clustered into a single well-supported clade (Bootstrap (BS) = 100, posterior probabilities (PP) = 1.0); and morphological characteristics do not differ. Therefore, based on the above evidence and publication dates, we conclude that T. melanoexcavatum is a synonym of T. pseudobrumale. By taking into account current knowledge and combining the molecular, multigene phylogenetic clade arrangement and morphological data, we propose that the Melanosporum group should be divided into four subgroups. Diagnostic morphological features and an identification key of all known species in the Melanosporum group are also included. Finally, we also provide some additions to the knowledge of the characterization of T. pseudobrumale, T. variabilisporum, and T. pseudohimalayense included in subgroup 1 of the Melanosporum group.