Prophylactic control of mycopathogens of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

Three different fungicides viz. Derosal, Sporgon and Indofil M-45 each @ 25 ppm and 50 ppm were evaluated as prophylactic treatments for control of mycopathogens of Agaricus bisporus by incorporating these in the compost at the time of spawning and in the casing mixture at the time of casing. All the fungicides used were effective in improving the yield of A. bisporus strains, P-1 and U-3. Derosal @ 50 ppm was the most effective resulting in yields of 11.93 kg ad 12.42 kg/100 kg on wheat straw based compost prepared in 24 days compared to yields of 9.98 kg and 10.52 kg/100 kg compost in control for strains P-1 and U-3, respectively. Improved yields were also obtained with the wheat straw + paddy straw (1:2, w/w) compost for both the strains with the same prophylactic treatments used. A corresponding increase in the number of fruiting bodies harvested and average weight of fruit body was also observed with the prophylactic treatments used.