Types of Contaminant Fungi and Pests in Straw Mushroom Cultivation and Their Control Methods
The straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) is a relatively common species among edible fungi. It is simple to prepare, has extremely high nutritional value, and is a common dish in daily life. Straw mushroom cultivation is not easy, so below we introduce some basic knowledge on the categories of contaminant fungi and pests in straw mushroom and their control.
1. Coprinus fungi
Coprinus fungi are divided into two types, the small coprinus and the large coprinus, and are the most frequently occurring contaminant fungi in the process of cultivating straw mushrooms. Their mycelium grows earlier than that of the straw mushroom and spreads rapidly; generally, before the straw mushroom has produced fruiting bodies, they have already formed mushroom buds, competing with the straw mushroom for nutrients and water. Coprinus fungi contaminate the fruiting bodies of the straw mushroom and affect its quality.
Control methods: The culture material for straw mushroom cultivation must be fresh and clean, must undergo strict and meticulous sterilization treatment, and its water content must be controlled at around 70%. If coprinus fungi are found, they should be removed promptly and sterilization treatment carried out to prevent the pathogens from spreading.
2. Blue-green mold
Blue-green mold is the most serious disease in the process of cultivating straw mushrooms. It includes Penicillium and Trichoderma viride. In the early stage of this colony, it is white, dense, and without a fixed shape; in the later stage of this colony, the color gradually begins to turn green and starts to contaminate the fruiting bodies of the straw mushroom, and in severe cases it can cause large-scale death of straw mushrooms.
Control methods: The nutrient material for straw mushrooms is best fresh and sun-dried. Attention must be paid to the moisture requirements of the culture material: controlled at (70%) and the pH (between pH 8.0-9.0). During cultivation, attention must be paid to ventilation to avoid excessively high carbon dioxide concentration. After disease occurs, the infected parts should be dug out promptly, and lime powder scattered around or carbendazim solution sprayed to prevent the pathogens from spreading.
3. Mushroom flies
Mushroom flies are mainly harmful in their larval stage; their larvae feed on the mycelium and fruiting bodies of the straw mushroom, seriously affecting the normal mycelial growth and the fruiting time of the straw mushroom, and also hindering the growth of the straw mushroom fruiting bodies, leading to reduced yields. Their adults can also transmit other diseases.
Control methods: Pay attention to the straw mushroom cultivation environment and keep it clean and hygienic. If mushroom flies occur, aerosol sprays can be used to kill them or fumigation carried out, and yellow sticky traps and the like can also be used to trap and kill them, with good results.
The straw mushroom is an important tropical and subtropical mushroom species and is also the third-largest cultivated edible fungus in the world. China's annual straw mushroom output ranks first in the world. The general population can eat straw mushrooms, and they are especially a high-quality food for people with diabetes.