Growth inhibition of agaricus bisporus and associated thermophilic species by fungicides used in wheat cultivation

Abstract

Eight fungicides used on wheat were checked for their toxic effect in vitro on the mycelial growth of 3 strains of the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus and 3 isolates of thermophilic fungi active in mushroom composting. At concentrations < 2 ppm, captan, maneb and chlorothalonil were not found to be toxic. Only tebuconazol significantly limited the radial growth of A bisporus mycelium. The IC50 values of benomyl, carbendazim, flusilazol, prochloraz and tebuconazol on mycelial growth of thermophilic fungi ranged from 0.1-0.7 ppm. The presence of fungicide residues in wheat straw may therefore affect the process of mushroom composting. © 1993.