Comparative efficacy of certain oil cakes against mushroom nematode, Aphelenchoides sacchari and their effect on yield of Agaricus bisporus

Castor, coconut, groundnut, karanj and neem cakes were evaluated for their efficacy against the mushroom nematode, Aphelenchoides sacchari in vitro and in mushroom compost. Their effect on the spawn run and yield of Agaricus bisporus were also assessed. Autoclaved, hot water and cold water extracts of karanj cake proved to be highly toxic to nematodes. Coconut and groundnut cakes though toxic to nematodes proved ineffective when extracts were prepared in cold water. Karanj, groundnut and coconut cakes all at 2% were as effective as carbofuran (0.04%) treatment in reducing A. sacchari in the compost. Treatment of compost with neem, coconut and karanj cakes at 1 to 2% yielded significantly higher crop.