Racodium snow blight in Japan

Summary The current knowledge of Racodium snow blight, one of the major snow blight diseases in Japan, is reviewed. This disease was discovered in Aomori Prefecture in 1951. The causal fungus ( Racodium therryanum ) is distributed in the A o layer and affects the seedlings and seeds of many conifers. Hence, it is considered one of the inhibitors of the natural regeneration in the forests of Hokkaido. The perspectives for future research on this disease are discussed.