Imazalil, manganese prochloraz and carbendazim treatments do not affect the yield of Agaricus bisporus, hybrid strain Sylvan A15 in New South Wales
Afsheen Shamshad, Alan D. Clift and Sarah Mansfield
Marsh Lawson Mushroom Research Unit, McMillan Building A05, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Science Road, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
Abstract
Cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus strain Sylvan A15, is susceptible to a range of fungal diseases. The important fungal diseases of A. bisporus are cobweb (Cladobotryum dendroides); dry bubble (Verticillium fungicola); wet bubble (Mycogone perniciosa) and trichoderma green mould, caused by several species of Trichoderma. The fungicides available to control these diseases are limited because the crop itself is a fungus. The present study is the first from Australia to report on the yield response of a commonly grown hybrid strain of A. bisporus to the different application methods of fungicides. The study investigated imazalil, a new fungicide, in comparison with carbendazim and manganese prochloraz. The fungicide application methods used were: applied to spawn or casing or drenched onto casing in split applications. There were no significant effects of the different fungicides or application methods on the total yield of A. bisporus. Imazalil could be used as an alternative to carbendazim, which is currently under review by Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority.
Key words: Spawn treatment, drenching, fungicides, cultivated mushrooms.
Plant Protection Quarterly(2009) 24 (2) 50-54.