INTRODUCTION
Rhizopogon roseolus (Corda) Th.M. Fr. (=R. rubescens Tul. & C. Tul.), known as “shoro” in
Japanese, is a hypogeous basidiomycete that is an important ectomycorrhizal symbiont of Pinaceae [1]. The fruiting bodies of this fungus are found in the sandy soils of Pinus thunbergii Parl. forest in seashore habitats. R. roseolus is a popular edible fungus in Japan, but factors such as deforestation, poor forest management and indiscriminate harvesting have led to recent decreases in production [2]. To cultivate this fungus, pine seedlings can be aseptically inoculated with mycelium or spores, then these ectomycorrhizal seedlings can be planted into a natural environment, and the fungus can be encouraged to grow [3-5]. However, cultivation techniques
have not been fully refined, because of the low efficiency with which ectomycorrhizal trees can be obtained, and the low levels of fruiting body production.
To successfully cultivate the fungus, inoculation and propagation methods must be developed, and isolates with superior traits must be selected. Such traits as vigorous mycelial growth, a tendency to form ectomycorrhizas and high levels of fruiting body production are desirable. Recently, we have discovered the superior isolate that rapidly colonized and produced a lot of ectomycorrhizas in root of P. thunbergii. Furthermore, we have developed a new inoculation method by using the isolate. In this paper, we demonstrate that the inoculation method enables to produce not only abundant ectomycorrhizas of host root, but also rapid fruiting body formation of this edible mushroom.