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CEG MUSHROOMS

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The cultivation of edible mushrooms (EPPO code : 3EDMC) in Europe, such as Table mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus, AGARBI), shiitake (Lentinula edodes, LENTED), oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus, PLEUOS), King trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii, syn. Pleurotus fuscus battarra, PLEUEY) is an economically valuable and steadily growing industry. The top 3 European mushroom-producing countries in the last five years were: the Netherlands, Poland and Spain.

Graph of cultivated mushrooms in Europe

The European mushroom cultivation sector is organised and promoted by the Group of European Mushroom Growers (GEPC). The GEPC represents ~90% of European mushroom growers. More information on the GEPC can be accessed at:
http://www.infochampi.eu/

Edible mushrooms are a high-quality protein source, well suited to the growing plant-based food trend. However, production is affected by several harmful organisms* responsible for significant crop damages, resulting in an annual loss of ~65 million EUR for the industry.

Pesticides have historically been the mainstay of pest and disease control on mushroom crops, but regulatory restrictions have created a need for a new variety of protection solutions. This is particularly the case as there has been a reduction in the number of active substances which can be used in European mushroom cultivation in recent years. As potential protection tools, new chemical and biological active substances are being developed and tested in technical research institutes.

The Commodity Expert Group (CEG) Mushrooms, composed of 22 experts from 10 countries with various scientific profiles, is dedicated to exchanging and enhancing knowledge on European mushroom cultivation and the existing options for pest and disease mitigation measures for mushroom crops.

Growing edible mushrooms is characterised by specific growing conditions. These offer advantages, such as stable production that is not affected by changing climatic conditions but also presents difficulties. Mushrooms are cultivated in buildings, which have been specially erected or adapted for that purpose, as well as in underground premises, caves and cellars. The production takes place in layered structures and for some species/varieties even not on a plain ground but e.g. on tree logs.

Although most of the edible mushrooms produced in Europe are grown indoors, there can be issues, for example, with cross-contamination from the growing substrate that is used or with flies that enter the production system from the outdoors. These factors can significantly impact the quantity and quality of the mushroom produced.

The CEG Mushroom has drawn up a list with common names of the most important harmful organisms of cultivated edible mushrooms, which can be accessed here .

Additional sources on mushroom cultivation and pest and diseases control:
Image of a Phoridae

CREDIT: Mushroom pest and disease control, a colour handbook, Fletcher and Gate.

Phoridae spp. 1PHORF


English names:
phorid flies, mushroom flies, hump backed flies, 'worthing phorid'

Description EPPO standard:
Phoridae are small (< 2 mm), brownish-black flies that move quickly. They are easily recognised by their humpbacked appearance, short wings, and very short, inconspicuous antennae. Damage is caused by the larvae, which feed on fungal mycelium and pupate in the compost. The larvae and pupae are not as easy to observe as the adults. Early infestation, during spawning, is the most harmful and high populations of larvae can totally destroy mycelium so that few mushrooms develop. The time from egg laying to adult emergence is 15 days at 24°C (50 or 24 days at 15 and 20°C, respectively). Adults can cause indirect damage as vectors of mites, nematodes, fungal pathogens and bacteria.

Image of a Lycoridae (Sciaridae)

CREDIT: Mushroom pest and disease control, a colour handbook, Fletcher and Gate.

Lycoridae (Sciaridae) spp.1SCIAF


English names:
sciarids, fungus gnats, mushroom 'flies'

Description EPPO standard: Sciaridae are mosquito-like (2 mm long), with long, upright antennae, black head and thorax and dark brown abdomen. They occur in nature on decaying materials (leaves, fungi, wood, manure etc.). The females lay eggs in the compost or casing. Larvae grow up to 5 mm in length and are shiny white with a dark head. They feed on compost as well as mycelium and will also burrow into mushrooms at all stages of production. Adults sciarids may also act as vectors for fungal pathogens (see MYCPAG, VERTFU below), bacterial diseases, mites and nematodes. The commonest species in Europe are Lycoriella solani, L. auripila, L. castanescens and L. ingenua. Bradysia spp. also occasionally occur.

Image 3

CREDIT: T. Rousseau

Cladobotryum dendroides DACYDE


English names:
dactylium mildew, cobweb disease, cf. didimocladium mildew of mushroom

Description EPPO standard:
The presence of Cladobotryum dendroides (Hypomyces rosellus, anamorph Dactylium dendroides) can be recognised by the appearance of a white cobweb of mould covering not only the mushroom but also the surrounding casing. This cottony, wool-like mycelium sometimes turns pink or red and affected mushrooms turn brown and eventually die. The fungus is a soil inhabitant and probably enters the mushroom house with soil dust.
Once present, it produces abundant spores, which are spread rapidly by air movement, water-splash and excess water run-off. It typically appears only on the later flushes.

Image 4

CREDIT: T. Rousseau

Trichoderma aggressivum TRCDAG


English names:
trichoderma blotch, trichoderma spot, green mould, cf. red spot

Description EPPO standard:
Trichoderma aggressivum has long been known as "green mould", generally considered to be a weed mould. T. aggressivum grows as green mycelium on the compost or casing, or on dead mushrooms, or on the boxes.

Image 5

CREDIT: T. Rousseau

Lecanicillium fungicola VERTFU


English names:
verticillium dry bubble verticillium spot brown spot

Description EPPO standard:
Dry bubble (Lecanicillium fungicola) occurs only on Agaricus bisporus and can cause considerable damage and yield loss. The fungus does not grow in the compost, but comes into the mushroom house with the casing, flies, dust etc., and infects the developing fruiting bodies as they emerge. The infected mushrooms are discoloured, cracked or shrivelled, and at a later stage may have a very crooked and swollen stem. They are unsaleable. The dry leathery state of the mushrooms, without any ooze of droplets and without an unpleasant smell, distinguishes dry bubble from wet bubble in most cases.

Image 5

CREDIT: Nancy Pyck

Hypomyces perniciosus MYCGPE


English names:
wet bubble

Description EPPO standard:
Mushrooms affected by Hypomyces perniciosus are misshapen, with very swollen stems and caps. Their surface shows a brown-beige discoloration, and may ooze reddish-brown droplets of liquid. A specific fusty smell can be recognised in the mushroom house. Spread of the disease takes place by spores and mycelium, which infect the developing fruiting bodies as they grow through the casing. Infection most commonly starts from infected casing, and is then spread by phorid and sciarid flies, dust in air ducts, workers, picking trays and equipment. Water run-off is also one of the main means of spread.

MUCF disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is correct. However, the MUCF do not accept liability for any error or omission in the content.