What are the control methods for common physiological diseases of edible fungi?

1. Mycelial overgrowth

After inoculation of edible fungi, vegetative growth is excessive, and the fluffy mycelium grows densely. After casing soil is applied, it often "drills" out of the ground and forms a mycelial mat. This situation is related to the characteristics of the strain and environmental conditions. Low water content in the soil layer, excessively high nitrogen content in the compost, poor ventilation, and excessively high air humidity all easily cause mycelial overgrowth, producing the phenomenon of "mycelium emergence."

Common control methods: select high-quality strains; pry loose and break up the hardened mycelial mat; cover with fine soil, increase ventilation, and lower relative air humidity; use heavy watering to promote mycelial knotting and form fruiting bodies; spray growth regulators to promote the transformation from vegetative growth to reproductive growth.

2. Mycelial shrinkage and degeneration

During the mycelial growth and mushroom fruiting stages, mycelium sometimes turns yellow, turns black, shrinks and degenerates, or even dies.

Compost-related causes Such as an imbalanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, acidification of the compost, breeding of contaminant microbes, improper use of disinfecting and sterilizing agents, and residual harmful substances in the compost are all unfavorable to mycelial growth. For this, prevention should be strengthened, the preparation and fermentation of the compost should be done well, and the compost should be carefully checked, with pH tested, to identify the specific causes. According to different causes and the condition of mycelial degeneration, different remedial measures should be taken. If the compost is acidified, an appropriate amount of limewater should be sprayed to adjust it; if mycelial degeneration is caused by improper disinfectants, the compost should be readjusted and supplemental inoculation should be carried out.

Excessive humidity Mycelium fears wetness but not dryness. If too much water is sprayed during the fruiting period and the casing soil is too thin, water seeps into the compost, causing mycelial shrinkage or even death. When this happens, attention should be paid to ventilation to dissipate moisture, and the watering method should be appropriately changed. Watering should not be too heavy or too rapid.

High-temperature heat damage Under conditions of high temperature, stuffiness, and poor ventilation, mycelium easily turns yellow and dies. Mycelial growth can be restored by strengthening ventilation and regulating temperature and humidity.

Weak mycelial vitality If mycelium is thin and weak or shrinks because the mycelium itself has poor viability, before casing soil is applied, triacontanol, peptone solution, or mushroom tonic can be sprayed to promote recovery of growth and make the mycelium robust.

3. Deformed mushrooms

Thin-skinned mushrooms Thin compost and insufficient nutrients; too thin casing soil; weak mycelial vitality or mycelial overgrowth and hardening, with fruiting sites too high; poor ventilation in the mushroom house, high temperature, and high humidity; high fruiting density and excessively fast growth so nutrients cannot keep up; mycelial aging and reduced ability to absorb nutrients all can produce thin-skinned mushrooms.

Control methods: do a good job of compost fermentation in the early stage, apply casing soil reasonably, strengthen ventilation during the growing period, lower the temperature and humidity of the mushroom house, and appropriately apply supplemental fertilizer to replenish nutrients.

Hollow mushrooms Causes of formation: relatively high air humidity, rapid growth of young mushrooms, and insufficient water in the soil layer; during the growth of young mushrooms, the temperature first rises and then falls, the compost first dries and then becomes wet, the upper part of the compost is wet while the lower part is dry, the soil layer is relatively wet, and the compost layer is relatively dry; a large amount of water evaporates from the surface of the cap, and the center of the stipe lacks water.

Control methods: maintain suitable temperature and humidity in the mushroom shed. During high-humidity periods, ventilate in the early morning and evening, and close windows at noon to avoid excessively high temperature and excessively rapid water evaporation; ensure that relative air humidity is not lower than 90%; the fruiting water and pinning water should be sprayed sufficiently to avoid the phenomena of wet outside and dry inside, and wet upper layer and dry lower layer.

Hard opening of the veil A sudden drop in temperature, a relatively large contrast between air temperature and compost temperature, or between air temperature and soil temperature, excessively high humidity in the fine soil while the mushroom shed temperature is too low, etc., disrupt nutrient metabolism in the mushroom body, causing unbalanced growth and splitting separation between the stipe in the soil layer and the cap above the soil, thereby forming hard opening of the veil.

Control methods: pay attention to keeping warm, do not let cold wind blow into the mushroom shed, reduce temperature changes, and maintain appropriate air humidity and water content in the compost.

Landmine mushrooms Causes of formation: during the ventilation process after casing soil is applied, the water content of the soil layer is too low; mycelium in the soil layer shrinks, and mycelial growth is late after spawning; temperature is relatively low; soil is mixed into the compost.

Control methods: spray an appropriate amount of water to maintain suitable water content in the soil layer; casing soil should not exceed 3 cm; do not use cow dung mixed with soil, etc.

Long-stiped mushrooms The causes are excessively high relative air humidity, poor ventilation, and excessively high carbon dioxide concentration; mycelial aging and weak mycelial growth in the soil layer.

Control methods: strengthen ventilation and air exchange, and spray mushroom tonic.

Ball mushrooms When spawning, the spawn pieces are too large, the casing soil thickness is uneven, the water content of the compost is uneven, and several or dozens of fruiting bodies crowd together, which can lead to ball mushrooms. Control methods: spread the spawn evenly when spawning; appropriately increase the casing soil thickness, apply casing soil evenly, and regulate water reasonably.

Rust spots If the mushroom house is not opened in time for ventilation after watering on the bed surface, humidity in the mushroom house is too high, and small water droplets remain on the surface of the fruiting bodies, rust-colored spots will appear after a period of time.

Control methods: extend ventilation time after watering, do a good job of ventilation and air exchange during cloudy and damp weather, keep the air fresh, and select good casing soil materials.

Scaly mushrooms When the temperature is relatively low, the mushroom shed is relatively dry, and the difference between dry and humid conditions in the environment suddenly increases, the caps easily produce scales.

Control methods: during the fruiting period, pay attention to increasing relative air humidity and keeping it stable, and prevent sudden attacks of cold wind on the mushroom shed, etc.

Red-root mushrooms This is mostly caused by excessive watering before mushroom production, excessively high water content in the soil layer; excessive use of glucose solution; excessively high concentration of sprayed limewater or urea solution; and poor ventilation.

Control methods: the water content of the soil layer must not be too high during the mushroom production period; the mushroom bed must not be watered before harvesting mushrooms; when spraying limewater or applying supplemental fertilizer on the mushroom bed, attention should be paid to controlling the concentration.

Rose-comb mushrooms That is, the edge of the cap curls and rolls upward, the gills grow onto the surface of the cap, and the gill plates turn red and discolored, like a rose-colored cockscomb. This is mostly caused by chemical contamination, such as mineral oil or phenolic compounds mixed into the compost; pesticides sprayed inside or near the mushroom house produce a certain amount of harmful gas, all of which can lead to rose-comb mushrooms.

Control methods: warehouses storing oil or pesticides should not be converted into mushroom houses; do not use soil contaminated by chemicals as casing soil material; kerosene lamps should not be used for lighting in mushroom houses, and if coal stoves or wood stoves are used for heating, ventilation and air exchange should be strengthened; when building compost piles, they must not come into contact with mineral oil or phenolic substances, etc.