Deepthi S
Identification and management of pests and diseases of oyster mushroom - Vellayani Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture 2003
A study on "Identification and management of pests and diseases of
oyster mushroom" was conducted during 2002-2003 at the College of
Agriculture, Vellayani. It was undertaken to investigate on the pests and
diseases of oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida Eger as well as to evolve
ways for tackling them.
Springtail, flies and beetles were identified as pests infesting oyster
mushroom. Springtail tSeira sp.) was the most dominant pest. Apart from
this, mushroom flies, phorids (Megaselia sp.) and sciarids were found to
cause severe damage. The beetle pest, Staphylinus sp. and an unidentified
beetle belonging to family Staphylinidae and subfamily Scaphidiinae were
also problematic. Pathogenic microorganisms were not observed but
competitor moulds viz., Trichoderma spp., Aspergillus spp. and Coprinus
spp. were present resulting in a reduction in the yield.
In vitro studies revealed that dichlorvos 0.01 per cent and 0.02 per
cent and malathion at 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 per cent inhibited the growth of
Pleurotus spp.
The practices, which' prevented the entry of flies into the mushroom
beds like covering the holes in mushroom beds with cotton and making
pinpricks instead of holes on the cover, were effective in controlling the
pest. Among the botanicals tested only garlic extract at two per cent
proved effective. Chemicals such as dichlorvos @ 0.01 and 0.02 per cent,
malathion @ 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 per cent had inhibitory effect on
Pleurotus if used in a spray schedule of three days interval in incubation
room and 10 days interval in cropping room. Nimbecidine 2mlll though
not very effective in controlling the pest could be recommended, as it
proved not inhibitory to Pleurotus. A single spray of dichlorvos @ 0.01
per cent three days after spawning can be recommended for controlling the
pests affecting oyster mushroom.
For managing Trichoderma spot application of carbendazim 50 ppm
or lime were effective. Increasing pH of the soaking water from 6 to 8
considerably increased the yield. This is an effective, cheap and
ecofriendly recommendation, and can be practiced by the farmers.
632.3 / DEE/ID
Identification and management of pests and diseases of oyster mushroom - Vellayani Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture 2003
A study on "Identification and management of pests and diseases of
oyster mushroom" was conducted during 2002-2003 at the College of
Agriculture, Vellayani. It was undertaken to investigate on the pests and
diseases of oyster mushroom Pleurotus florida Eger as well as to evolve
ways for tackling them.
Springtail, flies and beetles were identified as pests infesting oyster
mushroom. Springtail tSeira sp.) was the most dominant pest. Apart from
this, mushroom flies, phorids (Megaselia sp.) and sciarids were found to
cause severe damage. The beetle pest, Staphylinus sp. and an unidentified
beetle belonging to family Staphylinidae and subfamily Scaphidiinae were
also problematic. Pathogenic microorganisms were not observed but
competitor moulds viz., Trichoderma spp., Aspergillus spp. and Coprinus
spp. were present resulting in a reduction in the yield.
In vitro studies revealed that dichlorvos 0.01 per cent and 0.02 per
cent and malathion at 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 per cent inhibited the growth of
Pleurotus spp.
The practices, which' prevented the entry of flies into the mushroom
beds like covering the holes in mushroom beds with cotton and making
pinpricks instead of holes on the cover, were effective in controlling the
pest. Among the botanicals tested only garlic extract at two per cent
proved effective. Chemicals such as dichlorvos @ 0.01 and 0.02 per cent,
malathion @ 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 per cent had inhibitory effect on
Pleurotus if used in a spray schedule of three days interval in incubation
room and 10 days interval in cropping room. Nimbecidine 2mlll though
not very effective in controlling the pest could be recommended, as it
proved not inhibitory to Pleurotus. A single spray of dichlorvos @ 0.01
per cent three days after spawning can be recommended for controlling the
pests affecting oyster mushroom.
For managing Trichoderma spot application of carbendazim 50 ppm
or lime were effective. Increasing pH of the soaking water from 6 to 8
considerably increased the yield. This is an effective, cheap and
ecofriendly recommendation, and can be practiced by the farmers.
632.3 / DEE/ID