How to Eliminate Diseases in Autumn and Winter Edible Mushroom Cultivation? Detailed Explanation of Prevention and Control Measures
1. Prevention and Control Measures at the Spawn Stage. Excessively high humidity conditions are extremely unfavorable to spawn production. First, when the cotton plug of first-level spawn becomes damp, the moisture from the sterilization stage cannot evaporate, and it continues to absorb water through respiration; the dampened cotton plug is highly susceptible to contamination by foreign fungi. Second, the respiratory metabolism of second-level spawn is insufficient, seriously affecting mycelial vigor; the surface characteristic is that the entire spawn bottle appears misty, as if washed with water, and the mycelium is thin and weak. Third, the tied opening of third-level spawn is directly connected to the outside air, manifesting as fine mycelium, slow growth, and a wet, heavy feeling when the spawn bag is grasped by hand. Based on the current situation, Trichoderma and Neurospora are more common in the early stage, while Mucor and Aspergillus flavus predominate in the later stage. Such contaminating fungi cause continuous contamination in subsequent production; in particular, the toxin secreted by Aspergillus flavus is a strong carcinogen and is extremely harmful to human health, so introducers or producers should pay close attention.
1.1 Cooling and Dehumidification. Regulate the air conditioner in the spawn culture room to below 25°C, and turn on the "dehumidification" function to reduce the air humidity in the culture room to below 70%; for those using "greenhouse water-temperature air conditioning," the wind direction and wind force should be scientifically arranged, and a thorough air exchange should be carried out once about every 3 days.
1.2 Drug Prevention. Spray Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong once about every 5 days in the culture room to kill foreign fungus spores carried in by air flow and people entering the room.
1.3 Traditional Dehumidification Method. Place quicklime blocks in the corners of the culture room so that they absorb moisture in the room and thereby reduce air humidity. However, when quicklime decomposes, it releases a large amount of heat and carbon dioxide, so while implementing this measure, cooling and ventilation measures must be carried out simultaneously to keep the indoor air fresh. In addition, charcoal has strong water absorption capacity; purchase charcoal and place it indoors, and the surface of the charcoal can be sprayed with Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong for sterilization treatment, replacing it once about every 5 days according to the indoor humidity conditions. This material can be reused.
2. Prevention and Control Measures at the Cultivation Stage. Due to the influence of high humidity, the success rate of mycelial running during cultivation is greatly reduced, mainly manifesting as slow mycelial running, weak mycelium, and a high contamination rate.
2.1 Virus Elimination of Spawn and Preparation of Substrate. Virus-eliminated spawn can ensure that it does not itself carry viruses or pathogens and effectively improve resistance; this is the foundation of production. Research has proven that adding 1 bag of edible mushroom three-dimensional nutrient essence (mixing type) to every 250 kg of cottonseed hull raw material can achieve many effects, including vigorous mycelium, improved resistance, faster growth, and greatly reduced contamination and disease incidence rates.
2.2 Strict Cultivation Disinfection. Thorough disinfection and sterilization within the cultivation shed is one of the important guarantee conditions for successful mycelial running. In production, spray Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong inside the culture room (shed), and it can be put into use after being sealed for 2 days. During the mycelial running period, spraying Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong or Mushroom Disease Killer once about every 5 days is an effective preventive measure.
2.3 Insist on Ventilation and Dehumidification. On one hand, insist on ventilation in the evening and morning on clear days to keep the air fresh; on the other hand, place quicklime blocks in the culture room or shed to reduce humidity, but note that under conditions without air-conditioning cooling, measures such as forced ventilation should be adopted and management should be careful to ensure successful mycelial running.
3. Prevention and Control Measures at the Fruiting Stage. Production practice has proven that for diseases in edible mushroom production, changing the traditional concept of emphasizing "treatment" over "prevention" and adhering to the principle of "prevention first, with equal emphasis on prevention and treatment" can achieve twice the result with half the effort in prevention and control.
3.1 Disinfection Inside and Outside the Mushroom Shed. On the basis of cleaning up sanitation, spray 800-fold carbendazim and dichlorvos solution outside the shed to both sterilize and kill insects. Use Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong for sterilization inside the shed, at a dosage of 1 bag per 20 sq m of ground, carrying out carpet-like spraying; for older cultivation sheds in poorer environments, spray 2 consecutive times, and it can be put into use after 2 days of sun exposure.
3.2 Preventing Contamination and Disease During the Mycelial Running Period. Add Gu Bing Xiao (for cooked-material cultivation, use Bao Cheng Gong) drug when mixing the substrate; the effect of inhibiting and killing foreign fungi is good, and drug residues are low. Generally, each bag can be mixed with 50 kg of dry material, which can effectively reduce the contamination rate during mycelial running. During the fruiting stage, use drugs regularly to maintain a good environment. Generally, Bai Bing Qu Wu Zong or Mushroom Disease Killer can be used for preventive spraying in the mushroom shed, once every 5-7 days, to inhibit or kill pathogens that appear later, thereby maintaining a relatively clean environment.
3.3 Thoroughly Kill Discovered Diseases. With the coordinated use of the above measures, in today's increasingly deteriorating environment, it is still difficult to guarantee 100% freedom from disease. Therefore, during production, attention should be paid to observation: when signs of pathogens are found on spawn bags, drugs such as Xiao Mei Wang should be used on the affected areas to kill them; when fruiting bodies first show disease, drugs should be applied according to the symptoms or the pathogen species. Generally, Huang Gu Yi Pen Ling, Mushroom Disease Killer, and similar products can be used. Above all, avoid "turning to any doctor in desperation when illness strikes."