This month Mycological Research News features work on chromosome translocations in six closely related Saccharomyces species, and analyses of the largest rDNA data sets of fungi yet published which call into question some proposed phylogenies and natural groupings.

Amongst the 16 papers in this issue are molecular studies exploring the diversity of soil fungi, rDNA and taxonomy of Ganoderma, RAPD analyses of Armillaria mellea populations, relationships of Phytophthora species, variation in P. cactorum, dsRNA viruses in Metarhizium anisopliae isolates, the genetic structure of Cryphonectria parasitica populations, and the array of Trichoderma isolates from Russia, Siberia and Himalaya.

The effects of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root exudates on the sporulation of Phytophthora fragariae are reported, and the cytology and ultrastructure of Fusarium culmorum and Mycosphaerella graminicola on wheat are documented.

The fruiting inducing factor from Phellinus contiguus has been partially characterized, and the resistance of Acer pseudoplatanus wood to Armillaria mellea degradation is explored.

The distribution of fungi on fallen Pinus sylvestris needles is examined along altitudinal transects, and a remarkable diversity of fungi on Picea abies documented.

Craspedodidymum nigroseptatum sp. nov. is described and a key to the species provided.