Affiliation:
1. Institute of Pesticides and Environmental Protection, Belgrade
Abstract
The most commonly cultivated basidiomycetes worldwide and in Serbia are
button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.) and
shiitake (Lentinus edodes). Production of their fruiting bodies is severely
afflicted by fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens that are able to cause
diseases which affect yield and quality. Major A. bisporus fungal pathogens
include Mycogone perniciosa, Lecanicillium fungicola, and Cladobotryum spp.,
the causal agents of dry bubble, wet bubble, and cobweb disease,
respectively. Various Trichoderma species, the causal agents of green mould,
also affect all three kinds of edible mushrooms. Over the past two decades,
green mould caused by T. aggressivum has been the most serious disease of
button mushroom. Oyster mushroom is susceptible to T. pleurotum and shiitake
to T. harzianum. The bacterial brawn blotch disease, caused by Pseudomonas
tolaasii, is distributed globally. Disease control on mushroom farms
worldwide is commonly based on the use of fungicides. However, evolution of
pathogen resistance to fungicides after frequent application, and host
sensitivity to fungicides are serious problems. Only a few fungicides are
officially recommended in mushroom production: chlorothalonil and
thiabendazol in North America and prochloraz in the EU and some other
countries. Even though decreased sensitivity levels of L. fungicola and
Cladobotryum mycophilum to prochloraz have been detected, disease control is
still mainly provided by that chemical fungicide. Considering such resistance
evolution, harmful impact to the environment and human health, special
attention should be focused on biofungicides, both microbiological products
based on Bacillus species and various natural substances of biological
origin, together with good programs of hygiene. Introduction of biofungicides
has created new possibilities for crop protection with reduced application of
chemicals.
Funder
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
Publisher
National Library of Serbia