Yellow garden slug (Lymax flavus)
Slugs prefer moisture environment. It is most likely to appear in cellar cultivation. (That explains why it is a more significant pest in Hungary than in Europe: cellar cultivation is more typical here than anywhere else). The slugs feed on each part of the fruitbody. It not only bites out pieces of the mushroom, but at the same time leaves its slime on the surface. There are chemicals available against slugs (e. g. Delicia). Next to the walls and on the floor, common salt can be poured. The pests are attracted by beer, yeast or wet clothes. By placing traps filled with these materials, growers can keep slugs away from the mushrooms.
Hygiene in mushroom production
Currently there are only two synthetic active agents allowed here in mushroom production (diflubenzuron and prochloraz-Mn). There is another product, which contains nematodes and is used efficiently against Sciarid flies, but is quite expensive. Growers will not be able to use the above mentioned chemicals for long, since in many cases resistance or tolerance evolved. Using non-authorized plant protection products in mushroom cultures is forbidden. If any residue can be detected in the mushroom, the producer can get financial penalty.
In modern (Dutch-type) mushroom houses these chemicals are not necessary, if the hygiene requirements are followed properly. In Hungary, only a smaller part of mushrooms are produced in Dutch-type houses, while most mushrooms are grown in cellars or tents.
Good hygienic practice starts at the beginning: the establishment of the mushroom farm. The farm has to be far from organic waste deposits and landfills, and from forests that can serve as constant source of pests. The farms have to be equipped with changing rooms and social facilities such as washrooms, thus the personal hygiene of the workers can be kept on a proper level. The workers have to be equipped with protective clothing. The strict rules of using chemicals (e.g. formaldehyde) have to be followed carefully.
It is proven that most diseases are spread by the workers throughout the farms. Hygiene has to be taken into account during the organization of work: e.g. picking should be started in rooms with cultures that are in the earliest stage of development and then proceed to the older cultures.
Mats have to be placed at each entrance. The size of the mat should not allow the workers to go around or overstep them. The mats have to be soaked with a contact plant protection product.
Spent compost has to be removed from the farm. It should not let to get into contact with the new compost. Following the removal of the substrate and any remaining organic material (e.g. casing, waste), the room has to be cleaned and all surfaces have to be treated with contact products.
The above mentioned steps are only parts of the hygienic actions required for economical mushroom production. It is worth to spend on preventive actions (cleaning, disinfecting) as hygienic conditions enable more effective, high quality mushroom production.
Check your knowledge!
1. Describe the symptoms of dry bubble disease!
2. What are the preventive actions of bubble diseases?
3. Describe the symptoms of mushroom flies!
4. What are the lifestyles of mites?
5. What are the preventive actions of Trichoderma?
6. Describe the cobweb disease!
7. Give at least five examples of improving hygiene!
References
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