Teagasc Mushroom Research Webinar

23 February 2022 23 February 2022

Join us to learn about research findings in relation to possible mushroom casing alternatives based on research carried out in the UK and the USA. We will also be introducing you to Teagasc mushroom peat projects which have commenced.

In the second half of the webinar we will be focusing on Mushroom pest and disease research. This is a topic which is of huge interest to growers as disease caused significant crop loss in 2021.

We hope there will be some key advice from this research which growers can implement on theirs farms immediately to prevent pest and disease infection.

The Agenda for the event is as follows:

14:00 - Event Opening
Donal Gernon, Teagasc
14:05 - Potential Alternative Materials to Peat in Mushroom Casing
Dr. Ralph Noble, Microbiotech Ltd
14:35 - Wood fiber products used as a peat alternative in casing
John Pecchia, Ph.D (Penn State)
15:00 - Overview of the S-transit project which aims to support a sustainable transition away from peat-use in mushroom casing, by characterising and validating peat- reduced and alternative peat casing options for performance and sustainability.
Dr. Lael Walsh,Teagasc
15:15 - Use of essential oil products and natural attract and kill stations to control mushroom fly populations.
Dr. Michael Wolfin, Penn State
15:40 - Adjusting the application timing of Entomopathogenic nematodes to improve fly mortality - A Preliminary Study
Orla O'Halloran, Teagasc
15:55 - Tackling mushroom disease control in an environmentally-conscious world.
Dr. Helen Grogan, Teagasc
16:20 - Biological control of cobweb disease with Bacillus
Joy Clarke, Maynooth University and Teagasc
16:35 - A new approach to biological control for dry bubble disease
Dr. Lorant Hatvani, Teagasc
16:50 - Event close
Donal Gernon, Teagasc