The Brown Plaster Mould problem seems to be hitting growers again this year.
Older hands within the industry remember a time when it was basically unheard of.
They wonder what the originating factors could be – one suggestion is that the change in baling methods for straw could be a potential avenue for investigation.
The new big square bales can be harvested in wetter conditions – and it has been suggested that this dampness might be the encouragement that the mould and spores need to proliferate and subsequently become the major headache for mushroom growers that BPM is.
Previously the round bales were less prone to being damp, as the machinery involved needed the drier conditions to actually do the job.
For sure, more research is needed into the burgeoning problem that BPM represents.
In the meantime one of Dr David Seaby's articles on the subject is repeated with hopefully some timely advice for growers.
Growers can access other articles on the subject at the website, in the issue archive articles section.
