* MushTV: Solutions for the mushroom industry to emerging disease threats from Trichoderma and Mushroom Virus X (FP7-SME-2011 - Grant Agreement No. 286836).

Four factsheets on the management of mushroom diseases are published and distributed through-out the Industry this month by the consortium behind the European research project MushTV (FP7-SME-2011 - Grant Agreement No. 286836).

Factsheet 01/15 offers guidance on the use of chemical disinfectants to prevent disease spread; 02/15 describes current understanding, and prevention of brown cap mushroom disease, which is associated with bulk Phase III compost; 03/15 summaries the knowledge gained from the project’s work on the epidemiology of Trichoderma aggressivum and 04/15 describes dry bubble, wet bubble and cobweb disease the symptoms they cause and how to prevent and control them. 

MushTV was set up primarily to find solutions for the Mushroom Industry to Trichoderma and Mushroom virus X, two relatively new major diseases affecting production. With effective disease control compromised by the loss of key pesticides and disinfectants in recent years, increased understanding of the biology of the diseases and practical research based solutions to improve efficiency through reduced losses are vital. 

Two mushroom technical events are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25th March 2015 in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan between 3.45 – 5.30 p.m. and Tuesday 31st March 2015 in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles between 3.45 – 5.30 p.m. where Mairéad Kilpatrick, AFBI, Loughgall and Helen Grogan, Teagasc, Ashtown will present the MushTV findings to Industry.