Fertile sporophore production of Typhula phacorrhiza in the field is related to temperatures near freezing.
Two field tests and one lab test were conducted to examine the environmental factors affecting sporophore production in Typhula phacorrhiza and to compare these results with those documented for T. ishikariensis and T. incarnata. In the 2001 lab test where lighting, soil moisture, and soil-sand media were tested in 50 mL screw-cap tubes incubated at 4 degrees C, the limiting factor for Typhula sporophore production was found to be moisture. In the fall 2001 field test, 100 sclerotia of six isolates from three Typhula spp. were placed into pots filled with a sand and soil mixture. The pots were monitored weekly, and maximum sporophore production for all six isolates and for watered and unwatered pots was observed at 11 weeks, which was soon after mean daily temperatures fell below 0 degrees C. In the second field test in fall 2003, five isolates of the three species were tested with similar procedures, but peak sporophore production was observed after 6 weeks, and again only after mean daily temperatures fell below 0 degrees C. In the field, sporophore production of T. phacorrhiza seems to require the same environmental cues as those of T. ishikariensis or T. incarnata, namely high moisture and temperatures near freezing.
THE LIFE HISTORY AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPHULA GYRANS (BATSCH) FRIES
Summary. 
 
A description is given of the life history and cultural characteristics of Typhula gyrans (Batsch) Fries. 
 
 
 
The parasitism of the fungus was investigated. Infection experiments yielded entirely negative results. 
 
 
 
The fungus forms resting sclerotia. The mycelium is either pure white and rapidly growing or, under adverse conditions, dark brown and slow-growing. The sporophore consists typically of a stalk and club-shaped head. The hymenium is borne all over the surface of the head. The sporophore usually arises from a sclerotium. 
 
 
 
The mycelium contains numerous clamp connections. Their function is doubtful. 
 
 
 
The development of the sclerotium is traced with special reference to the limiting layer. 
 
 
 
The sequence of nuclear changes in the basidium is suggested. 
 
 
 
Various abnormal forms, intermediate in construction between sclerotium and sporophore, are described. It is suggested that a consideration of these, together with the resemblance in structure between normal sporophore and normal sclerotium, proves these latter to be fundamentally the same. The proportion of each formed at any time is governed by external conditions. 
 
 
 
The fungus is heterothallic. Monospore strains fail to produce clamp connections, sclerotia, or sporophores. When monospore cultures are grown in pairs, in some cases mixing and fusion of the hyphae take place, with subsequent production of clamps, sclerotia, and sporophores; in others no fusions take place.
Antitumor and antiviral substances from fungi.
Publisher Summary The United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) has recently intensified its emphasis upon natural products as a source of new drug discovery. This chapter deals with the antitumor and antiviral substances derived from fungi. The fungi produce many antibiotic substances besides penicillin, some of which have been reported to show antiviral or antitumor activity. The metabolic pathways of fungi can be divided into two broad areas: the primary metabolism that provides the fungi with energy, synthetic intermediates and key macromolecules, such as protein and DNA; and the secondary metabolism that yields a range of species-specific compounds possessing no obvious function in cell growth. The discovery of novel substances with anticancer and antiviral activities from fungi are extensive, yet the more systematic and successful exploration of fungi for potentially useful new anticancer and antiviral drugs has undoubtedly been constrained by limitations in available screening systems. Therefore, the NCI has also more recently assumed responsibilities for the implementation of a national acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) antiviral drug screening and drug development program in parallel and in complement to the anticancer drug program.