Toxicity of metal cations and phenolic compounds to the bioluminescent fungus Neonothopanus gardneri

•A sensitive bioluminescence-based bioassay is reported by using a Brazilian fungus.•Despite bioassays in liquid medium indicate higher toxicity than in agar, the mechanism of toxic action and the toxicity order are similar.•Basidiomycetes are more tolerant to metal cations and phenolic compounds than other soil organisms.•Method can be used for the screening of fungicides against phytopatogenic basidiomycetes.•Results obtained from representatives of the four lineages of bioluminescent fungi are compared.