Symptoms and Control Methods of Bacterial Blotch in Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms are cultivated in all parts of China, and they are also an edible mushroom with a relatively large export volume. Because of their high nutritional value, they are deeply welcomed by consumers. Button mushrooms now have very good economic benefits on the market, so growing them is quite promising, and they have the characteristics of low investment and quick returns. During the cultivation of button mushrooms, bacterial blotch is very likely to occur, so what symptoms does bacterial blotch of button mushrooms have? How to prevent and control it?

I. What symptoms does bacterial blotch of button mushrooms have?

In the early stage of infection with bacterial blotch, small yellow spots appear on the caps of button mushrooms. As the fruiting bodies of the button mushrooms grow, the affected area slowly expands, and it may also spread to other healthy fruiting bodies. The yellow color will also gradually deepen until small spots appear on the entire cap. In the later stage of bacterial blotch, yellow-brown water droplets appear on the button mushrooms, and the fruiting bodies will then stop growing and show signs of death and shrinkage.

Bacterial blotch is mainly caused by a kind of Pseudomonas bacterium, which is a bacterial pathogen. This pathogen likes environments with relatively high temperature and humidity, so under conditions where the temperature exceeds 20°C, the humidity is greater than 90 percent, and the carbon dioxide concentration is very high, bacterial blotch is relatively likely to appear. In addition, poor ventilation in the mushroom shed, unclean water, and unclean substrate are also among the causes of the disease.

II. How to prevent and control bacterial blotch of button mushrooms?

First, pay attention to keeping the environmental sanitation in the mushroom shed good, and regularly carry out disinfection and pest elimination work.

Second, the water used must be clean, and the button mushrooms must not be kept in a relatively humid environment for a long time, so do not use excessive water.

Third, when the fruiting bodies of button mushrooms are growing, the humidity in the mushroom house should not be too high. Do a good job of ventilation to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration indoors.

Fourth, if the fruiting bodies have already contracted bacterial blotch, ventilate promptly to reduce the humidity in the mushroom shed, spray a certain concentration of bleaching powder liquid, and close the mushroom shed for two hours after spraying. After that, open the doors and windows for ventilation to lower the temperature.

III. Precautions for growing button mushrooms

1. The rice straw used for growing button mushrooms is best soaked in water, as this is beneficial for fermentation. Before the second turning of the pile, replenish water in time; otherwise it will be very difficult to make up the water later, and it will affect the growth of the mycelium.

2. The covering soil must be properly disinfected. If you choose untreated soil from a vegetable garden, it is very easy for pests and diseases to invade. When casing with soil, do not add urea, so as to avoid the mycelium dying due to excessive ammonia gas.

3. Do not spray water casually, as it easily creates a growing environment with relatively high humidity, which will lead to premature aging and death of the button mushroom mycelium.