Solutions to the industry
greater understanding of the life cycle and biology of the pests and diseases they are trying to control. They must monitor levels of pests and diseases, know how they spread around the farm or facility, know the best hygiene measures to control them, ensure that hygiene measures are employed correctly, use biological and non-chemical control measures where possible, keep updated with advances in IPM control measures, and - only as a last resort - use the least toxic chemicals available when other avenues have been exhausted.
The mushroom industry is already well placed to be IPM compatible, but it can still encounter serious pest and disease issues which may be challenging to control.
Trichoderma and Virus Two diseases were of primary concern to the MushTV network; ‘compost green mould’ caused by Trichoderma aggressivum and ‘Brown Cap Mushroom Disease’ associated with the Mush- room Virus X (MVX) complex of viruses, which causes white mushrooms to turn brown and loose quality. Both diseases have caused serious economic losses to businesses across Europe since 2000. Disease prevention is preferable to disease control as the impact of early infections can have devastating consequences. Three things are the key to a good IPM strategy. Diagnostic tools are an aid to identifying patho- gens precisely and can provide an early warning of a problem if used routinely. Similarly, new
knowledge is needed as technological develop- ments can uncover new niches for pathogens to exploit. And thirdly, disinfection and hygiene are the cornerstone of all IPM programs. MushTV provides new information on all three.
Diagnostic Tools
MushTV has developed two new diagnostic tools - one for detecting Trichoderma aggressivum in Phase 3 compost and one for detecting the viruses causing Brown Cap Mushroom Disease. New research has shown that the pattern of volatiles produced by Agaricus bisporus during a normal spawn run in a Phase 3 tunnel is different to the volatile pattern produced when it is infected with Trichoderma aggressivum. The method requires expensive equipment at the moment which makes it less attractive for routine use but the cost of such equipment is decreasing all the time and the method may become more affordable in the future. We now know that Brown Cap Mushroom Disease is caused by three key fungal viruses, new to science. Genome-sequencing of the many MVX viruses has enabled the development of new highly-sensitive diagnostic tests that can detect the viruses at low levels in compost, prior to mushroom production. This test offers the European mushroom industry innovative opportunities to monitor virus and disease levels and focus hygiene measures on a preven- tion strategy.
We still need to find a reliable service provider for the industry and we will pursue this in the coming year. Work is also planned to benchmark the industry and identify background levels of the many new viruses identified in MushTV. If you are interested in participating in this future work please contact
helen.grogan@
teagasc.ie.
Compost debris on netting.
Trichoderma in Phase 3 MushTV has generated new knowledge about how Trichoderma aggressivum develops and spreads within the bulk Phase 3 system. We now know that a single Trichoderma infection only colonises a small (~1 m diameter) localised volume of compost inside a Phase 3 tunnel. Most of the compost in the tunnel will therefore be ‘Trichoderma-free’ and, under normal conditions, will produce high yields. However, experiments have shown that when a small volume of Trichoderma-infected compost is
“True collaboration
brings a lot more then just the sum
of the ingredients” - Piet Lempens, Hooymans Compost.
MUSHROOM BUSINESS 21
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