Cathal Ellis, Mushroom Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, sets out the Challenge
2 July 2004
MUSHROOM GROWERS PUT SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE Cathal Ellis, Mushroom Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
The ‘Mushroom Challenge’ has been developed by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, to assist mushroom growers re-assess their businesses, revise performance targets and identify areas for improvement. Last week, the focus turned to mushroom pests and diseases, with twelve growers from County Armagh gathering at the Northern Ireland Horticulture and Plant Breeding Station (NIHPBS), Loughgall to review the latest pest and disease prevention and control strategies.
Every mushroom grower must operate a strict hygiene programme to minimise the risk of pest and disease outbreaks occurring during cropping. The old adage, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ holds true. It is also cheaper. An effective hygiene and exclusion policy must be at the core of all prevention programmes. However, when these measures fail, correct disease identification and immediate, effective action are critical to ensure control is achieved before economic damage is caused to the crop.
To help growers achieve this, a Mushroom Pest and Disease module, developed by staff from Applied Plant Science, was delivered at NIHPBS, Loughgall last week. This module has been designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to control pests and diseases with practical demonstrations playing a key role. Growers taking part in the training also had the opportunity to see first hand, a selection of preserved samples of the most common pests and diseases they may encounter on the farm. Correct identification at the earliest possible development stage, preventing on-farm spread and appropriate control strategies, were just some of the other issues under the microscope.
With ongoing consumer demand for control measures using reduced chemical input, emphasis was placed on the outcome of recent research on the use of biological agents to control mushroom flies.
Patrick Gribben from Dungannon, who attended the event said: “The spores under the microscope really helped me realise how important it is to act immediately to prevent disease spreading.”
Further information on the Mushroom Challenge programme can be obtained by contacting Cathal Ellis, Mushroom Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, Tel: 028 9442 6793, Mob: 07713 584250 E-mail:cathal.ellis@dardni.gov.uk
