My pesticide doesn’t work!
When applied correctly, pesticides are a very effective component of a mushroom farm’s IPDM (Integrated Pest and Disease Management) strategy, rapidly reducing pest and pathogen populations. When a pesticide seems no longer to work, or appears to work less effectively than before, it is very concerning. The purchase of pesticides is a significant expense for mushroom farms particularly when faced with increasing costs across the board. It is important from an economic perspective that pesticide effectiveness is optimised and that growers see a good return on their investment.
When applied correctly, pesticides are a very effective component of a mushroom farm’s IPDM (Integrated Pest and Disease Management) strategy, rapidly reducing pest and pathogen populations. When a pesticide seems no longer to work, or appears to work less effectively than before, it is very concerning. The purchase of pesticides is a significant expense for mushroom farms particularly when faced with increasing costs across the board. It is important from an economic perspective that pesticide effectiveness is optimised and that growers see a good return on their investment.
Phorid Ecology and Management
Flies in mushroom crops are a persistent, annoying, and occasionally, very damaging issue that all growers will face at some time. Most research has focussed on sciarids (Lycoriella spp.), often the most common species present. The maggots feed on organic matter in compost and readily adapt to captivity, making research relatively easy. Mushroom phorid flies may be a minor problem on most Australian farms, but in many countries – including Spain, Turkey, India, the UK and the US – they are a major pest. Yield losses of 10 to 40% have been widely reported. Some Australian farms are now also reporting persistent populations of these flies.
Flies in mushroom crops are a persistent, annoying, and occasionally, very damaging issue that all growers will face at some time. Most research has focussed on sciarids (Lycoriella spp.), often the most common species present. The maggots feed on organic matter in compost and readily adapt to captivity, making research relatively easy. Mushroom phorid flies may be a minor problem on most Australian farms, but in many countries – including Spain, Turkey, India, the UK and the US – they are a major pest. Yield losses of 10 to 40% have been widely reported. Some Australian farms are now also reporting persistent populations of these flies.