The location of Pest Foci in Pennsylvania Mushroom Houses

Abstract

Abstract Wuest, P. J., Rinker, D. L., and Finley, R. J. 1986. The location of pest foci in Pennsylvania mushroom houses Mushroom crops in Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA were monitored for the sites of initial and subsequent occurrences of three significant pests- Lycoriella mali , Verticillium fungicola , and Pseudomonas tolaasi. Crops were grown in a one-zone system which allowed sites of initial occurrence and spread through successive flushes to be mapped. Thirty five crops at 8 farms were monitored, 1979 to 1984, where farmers used their usual pest management practices. Bacterial blotch occurred randomly and predicting occurrence was not possible. Verticillium brown spot foci were identified on first break mushrooms. These locations proved to be reliable with more than 85% certainty. Initial oviposition sites of the sciarid fly were the compost edges closest to the doorways. Both diseases and the sciarid fly were present in all crops. Incidence of bacterial blotch decreased while Verticillium brown spot increased as the crops aged. Knowing the initial locations of L. mali and V. fungicola provides a focus for pest management practices.