Diseases of White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)- A Potential Threat to Mushroom Industry

Abstract

Mushrooms have been used by humans for millennia. The commonly cultivated mushrooms include Agaricus, Lentinus, Flammulina, Pleurotusand Volvariella. In India, Button mushroom (Agaricusbisporus)is the most commonly cultivated mushroom followed by Pleurotus (Shah et al., 2013). Mushrooms are mainly subjected to bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. The production of fruiting bodies is severely afflicted by fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens that can cause diseases which have an effect on yield and quality (Potocnik et al., 2008). Improper pasteurization of compost and casing soil can be the major source of diseases. Once the disease is introduced in the farm it can be carried out by the different agencies like air, water, machines and workers (Munshi et al., 2010). Fungal diseases commonly occurring in white button mushrooms include dry bubble (Verticillium spp.), cobweb (Cladobotryumspp.), green mould in compost (Trichoderma harzianum) and green mould on casing (Trichoderma viride). Over the past two decades, green mould caused by T. aggressivum has been the most serious disease of button mushroom. Among bacterial diseases, bacterial blotch (Pseudomonas tolaasii) is most common disease of white button mushrooms. Dieback is the most commonly occurring viral disease which is caused by various virus strains (Gupta et al., 2018). These diseases are a major threat to the mushroom industries worth millions as the losses due to these diseases may go up to 100%. Depending upon the stage and severity of the infection, quality of compost and the prevailing environmental conditions, these diseases often cause complete crop failure (Munshi et al., 2010). Considerable losses in cultivation process occur due to lower productivity, decrease in quality and shortened shelf-life. Moreover, mushroom cultivation with its rapidity of cropping makes a suitable environment for augmentation of pathogen inoculum and thus makes its control more difficult (Todorovic et al., 2012).

Antifungal Activity of Industrial Bacillus Strains against Mycogone perniciosa, the Causative Agent of Wet Bubble Disease in White Button Mushrooms

“…Even when adhering to every approved technological rule, the grower often cannot predict with complete certainty the optimal yield. One reason for this phenomenon is crop diseases, the harmfulness of which is still high in intensive cultivating technologies [ 4 , 5 ]. In this regard, the studying of the organisms responsible for white button mushroom yield losses is not losing relevance in terms of the scientifically motivated development of measures for their control [ 6 ].…”

“…[ 9 , 10 ]. The disease manifests as basidiomata deformation with subsequent bacteria development as a secondary infection, causing intense fruit body rotting [ 4 , 9 , 10 ]. The cap initially shows a brown exudative blotch; later, the basidioma surface is covered with velvety white mycelium, and the fruit body decays.…”

“…The cap initially shows a brown exudative blotch; later, the basidioma surface is covered with velvety white mycelium, and the fruit body decays. With slight lesions, an irregularly shaped cap with a swollen agaricaceous hymenophore is formed on the shortened stipe [ 4 , 10 ]. This disease occurs in industrial mushroom-growing farms almost everywhere when conditions are favorable for its emergence and development: temperatures of 16–20 °C, and humidity over 90% [ 5 , 7 ].…”

“…Most often, the disease occurs at the end of the growing cycle, when the main crop is weakened and depleted, when mushroom beds are no longer adequately maintained, ventilation deteriorates, and the number of insect pathogen vectors increases [ 4 ]. Wet bubble disease is the most harmful disease of cultivated mushrooms.…”

“…Wet bubble disease is the most harmful disease of cultivated mushrooms. Its appearance often leads to entire crop loss in the cultivation chamber [ 4 ]. In its metabolism, M. perniciosa acidifies the habitat, which helps it develop resistance to chemicals, particularly benomyl [ 12 , 13 ].…”