Teagasc Mushroom Research Webinar

Donal Gernon, Teagasc Mushroom Advisor hosted this webinar which took place on Wednesday, 23 February 2022. It gave an insight into research findings in relation to possible mushroom casing alternatives based on research carried out in the UK and the USA. The webinar also gave an overview of Teagasc mushroom peat projects which have commenced.

Session One

Mushroom producers in Ireland and all over the world are heavily reliant on Mushroom peat casing. As pressure increases to stop the extraction of peat in Ireland, we look at possible casing alternatives tested based on research carried out in the UK and the USA. The Teagasc S-Transit is introduced which has aims to support a sustainable transition away from peat-use in mushroom casing.

Speakers and topics covered included:

• Potential Alternative Materials to Peat in Mushroom Casing
  Dr. Ralph Noble, Micro biotech Ltd
• Wood fibre products used as a peat alternative in casing
  John Pecchia, Ph.D,Penn State
• 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

Session Two

The second part of the Teagasc Mushroom webinar focused on Mushroom pest and disease research. This is a topic which is of huge interest to growers as disease was widespread in Ireland in 2021 which caused significant crop loss. This section will have two key speakers and 3 shorter Teagasc research project updates.

Speakers and topics covered included:

• Use of essential oil products and natural attract and kill stations to control mushroom fly populations
  Dr. Michael Wolfin, Penn State
• Adjusting the application timing of Entomopathogenic nematodes to improve fly mortality - A Preliminary Study
  Orla O'Halloran, Teagasc
• Tackling mushroom disease control in an environmentally-conscious world
  Dr. Helen Grogan, Teagasc
• Biological control of cobweb disease with Bacillus
  Joy Clarke, Maynooth University and Teagasc
• A new approach to biological control for dry bubble disease
  Dr. Lorant Hatvani, Teagasc