Now a new mushroom IPM handbook will soon be available to growers that addresses the pests with the most potential to reduce mushroom yield and quality. The handbook is intended to be used by growers as well as researchers, both as an educational tool and as a reference manual. Recommendations are to be used as a guide for developing an effective IPM program. The section on theory explains the concepts of pest management, types of control and the importance of understanding pest life cycles and biology. Mushroom growing lends itself naturally to IPM, says Phil Coles, project manager at Giorgi Mushroom Company and contributor to the manual.
Mushrooms are one of the few food crops grown in climate controlled buildings.
Other features of mushroom production make IPM a necessity, not an option, says Coles. Mushroom production is measured in pounds per square foot rather than in bushels or tons per acre, so mushroom growing is very dense farming. If a pest enters a room, it can spread rapidly because of the large amount of food available within a relatively small space. In addition, many pests cannot be controlled using chemical pesticides, either because there are no products labeled for mushroom use, or materials do not exist for specific type of pest organism that will not destroy the crop as well. These features make the IPM approach the most effective and economical means of long term, sustainable pest control.