Diseases:

I. Green mold:

– C/O:         Trichoderma spp.

                   Penicillium cyclopium

                   Aspergillus spp.

Symptoms

– Green mold is characterized by a dense layer of mycelium, present on casing surface which is initially white in color but changes to green;

– Developing mushrooms in or near the mycelium are brown and may be cracked or distorted.

– One of the most common and destructive diseases of cultivated mushrooms.

Management

– Prevention of disease is best achieved by following good sanitation practices (concentration of Formalin could be correctly used max m . 2%); ensure compost is properly pasteurized prior to use and sterilize any supplements.

II. rticillium spot:

– C/O: Verticillium fungicola

Symptoms:

– Small gray spotting on mushrooms

– mushrooms deformed

– surface of mushroom becomes gray and fuzzy

– localized dead areas on cap

– fruiting body may no longer be recognizable as a mushroom

– severe infection can cause a deformation known as “dry bubble”

Management:

– Bubbles should not be disturbed by touching and can be destroyed using salt as it provide a barrier to prevent spores spreading.

III. Wet Bubble:

C/O: Mycogone perniciosa

Symptoms:

– On early stage infection, mushroom turn into a shapeless mass, covered with the parasite’s white and fluffy mycelium.

– As the deformed mushroom develops, it becomes brown and starts to decay.

– Little droplets of liquid amber in color appear on the surface of mushroom tissue, especially at a very high level of humidity.

Management:

– Sanitation of mushroom house, disposal of spent compost and removal of infected fruiting bodies.

– Fungicides such as Dithane M-45 (0.3%), Benlate, Cardendazim or Thiobendazole (0.05%) has also been reported to control this fungi.

IV. Cobweb mold or Dactylium Mildew

C/O: Hypomyces rosellus (Cladobotryum dendroides)

Symptoms:

– A white silky mat grows on the surface of the casing soil, climbing up and covering any mushroom in its path.

– The attacked mushroom gets discolored and become soft and later get completely engulfed in a cottony ball of mycelium.

Management:

– Proper sterilization of casing soil, initial treatment of mushroom growing room with formalin and proper ventilation facility should be provided.

V. Wet bubble :

C/O:  Mycogone perniciosa

Symptoms:

– Initially white and fluffy but with age changes into brown and decay.

Control:

– Spray with 0.1% Benomyl or 0.2% Thiobendazole or alternatively spray with 0.8% formalin (2lit/100 lit water).