Screening and Evaluation of Essential Oils from Mediterranean Aromatic Plants against the Mushroom Cobweb Disease, Cladobotryum mycophilum

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the use of essential oils (EOs) as an alternative to synthetic fungicides used in the control of cobweb disease of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) caused by Cladobotryum mycophilum. The EOs used were obtained by hydrodistillation from five Mediterranean aromatic species (Lavandula × intermedia, Salvia lavandulifolia, Satureja montana, Thymus mastichina, and Thymus vulgaris), analyzed by gas chromatography, and tested in vitro for their antifungal activity against C. mycophilum. In vitro bioassays showed that the EOs obtained from T. vulgaris and S. montana (ED50 = 35.5 and 42.8 mg L−1, respectively) were the most effective EOs for inhibiting the mycelial growth of C. mycophilum, and were also the most selective EOs between C. mycophilum and A. bisporus. The in vivo efficacy of T. vulgaris and S. montana EOs at two different concentrations (0.5 and 1%) were evaluated in two mushroom growing trials with C. mycophilum inoculation. The treatments involving T. vulgaris and S. montana EOs at the higher dose (1% concentration) were as effective as fungicide treatment. The effect of these EOs on mushroom productivity was tested in a mushroom cropping trial without inoculation. They had a strong fungitoxic effect at the first flush. However, a compensatory effect was observed by the end of the crop cycle and no differences were observed in biological efficiency between treatments. The main compounds found were carvacrol and p-cymene for S. montana, and p-cymene and thymol for T. vulgaris. These results suggest that T. vulgaris and S. montana EOs may be useful products to manage cobweb disease if used as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program

Pest risk analysis for Bactrocera invadens : Guidelines on Pest Risk Analysis

Stripping related moisture damage has been recognized as one of the major pavement distresses since the early 1990s. The main objective of this study is to establish an effective test protocol to quantify moisture susceptibility of asphalt pavements. To this end, selective test methods (Texas Boiling test, Tensile Strength Ratio, Retained Stability, and Hamburg Wheel Test), and procedures based on surface chemistries and molecular-level mechanistic properties have been investigated in this study. Firstly, a comprehensive list of literature related to moisture damage in asphalts was reviewed. Based on the literature review, a detailed project plan and test matrix were developed. Binder samples originated from two different crude sources were collected. The moisture resistance related tests such as static contact angle measurements and Texas Boiling tests were conducted. Besides, asphalt binders’ nanomechanical properties using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and surface chemistries using a static contact were evaluated in the laboratory. Based on limited test data and analysis, it is concluded that there does not exist any single test method that all agencies are comfortable and equipped to follow in their daily work as each technique has some merits and demerits. However, the Texas Boiling test is found to be the simplest method that requires minimal time and resources. On the other hand, surface chemistry and atomic force microscope-based techniques are becoming popular among researchers and pavement professionals. Findings of this study are expected to help ARDOT in selecting an appropriate moisture resistance test method that is simple, reliable, and easy to implement in their routine work

Cultivation of Agaricus bitorquis mushroom as an strategy for the Integrated Pest Management of the myceliophagous mite Microdispus lambi

BACKGROUND: The phorid fly Megaselia halterata Winnertz (Diptera: Phoridae) is the principal vector of Microdispus lambi (Acari: Pygmephoroidea) in Spanish Agaricus bisporus Lange (Imbach) mushroom farms. This myceliophagous mite does not appear to be a pest in Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc mushroom crops. This study explores the role of phorid flies as vectors of Microdispus lambi in Agaricus bitorquis mushroom crops. RESULTS: The incidence of M. lambi in A. bitorquis growing substrates did not reach appreciable levels at any point during the growing cycle. The presence of phorid flies in A. bitorquis farms was normally higher than that in the case of Agaricus bisporus Lange (Imbach) species. The percentage of phorid vectors did not statistically differ between both Agaricus crops during infection periods. However, by the end of the crop, this percentage had increased only in A. bisporus crops, coinciding with a high incidence of mites in the substrate of this mushroom species; Megaselia halterata emerging from the mushroom substrate of A. bitorquis summer crops did not carry mites as they were absent from compost and casing. CONCLUSION: M. halterata is a pest in Spanish A. bitorquis mushroom crops, meanwhile M. lambi, its phorectic mite, has shown not to be a pest of this species mushroom farms during the spring–summer growing season. A. bitorquis crops could potentially be used as an IPM measure to decrease the incidence and prevent the propagation of the myceliophagous mite M. lambi in A. bisporus mushroom growing farms.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Mushroom Phorid Flies—A Review

Diptera are among the most serious arthropod pests affecting mushroom crops. Phorid flies, especially Megaselia halterata, have traditionally been globally considered as a minor pest, although they are a very important problem on Spanish mushroom farms. The concerns with respect to the phorid fly populations have recently increased, notably jumping from being a minor to major pest in India, UK and the USA, where yield losses ranging between 10% and 40% were reported. This review updates and summarizes the available literature regarding mushroom phorid populations, stressing the natural distribution of phorids and their seasonal distribution, their biology within the growing substrates and the initial sources of infestation on mushroom farms. Moreover, the review also highlights the scarce available tools for their control and the current alternatives to chemical products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CMFRI Newsletter No.099 July- September 2003

Abstract not availabl

Strengthening livelihood resilience in upper catchments of dry areas by integrated natural resources management

The Livelihood Resilience project evolved around the hypothesis that better integrated management can improve the livelihoods of poor farming communities and increase the environmental integrity and water productivity of upstream watersheds in dry areas. This hypothesis was tested by researchers from different Iranian research and executive organizations and farming communities in two benchmark research watersheds in upper Karkheh River Basin in Iran, under the guidance of the ICARDA scientists. Participatory technology development, water, soil, erosion, land degradation and vegetation assessments, livelihood, gender and policy analyses, and integrated workshops delivered a set of principles for watershed management in dry areas