How to prevent and treat shiitake mushrooms infected by Trametes versicolor

Trametes versicolor, also known as turkey tail, is classified under Basidiomycotina, Hymenomycetes, Aphyllophorales, Polyporaceae, and the genus Trametes. The cap is leathery, sessile, imbricate and stacked, semicircular or shell-shaped, 1-10 cm in long diameter, 1-6 cm in short diameter, 1-2 mm thick, with narrow concentric zones and fine elongated hairs on the cap surface, varied in color, often gray, brown, green to black, glossy, entire or wavy. In nature it often occurs on decaying wood of broadleaf trees in summer and autumn, with mycelial growth temperature of 3-32°C, optimum 25-28°C, optimum temperature for fruiting body development 20-25°C, and relative air humidity 85%-90%. This fungus most easily infects 2-4 year old mushroom logs, occurring most from the plum rain season to midsummer, under poor ventilation, high temperature and high humidity, especially on mushroom logs exposed to direct sunlight and relatively dry. Because this fungus has a strong wood-rotting ability, once mushroom logs are infected by it, the shiitake mycelium cannot grow.

After turkey tail fruiting bodies appear on the cut logs, they should be removed. Because turkey tail contains anti-cancer substances, has the effect of preventing and treating tumors and improving immunity, and also has a certain effect on treating chronic hepatitis. Therefore, the removed fruiting bodies can be used medicinally.

Prevention and treatment methods: Cover the pile with branches and leaves to prevent direct sunlight, strengthen ventilation to avoid high temperature and high humidity. Scrape off the turkey tail fruiting bodies, apply 10% lime water to the scraped surface, or spray with 1% Bordeaux mixture.