VIEW ARTICLE

Sensitivity of Selected Mushroom Pathogens to Aerated Steam. P. J. Wuest, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology Extension, Cooperative Extension Service, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802; K. F. Baker(2), and W. S. Conway(3). (2)Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley 94720; and (3)Research Aide, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University. Phytopathology 60:1274-1275. Accepted for publication 23 March 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-1274.

Mushroom casing, the layer of soil applied atop colonized compost, is subject to undesirable effects when treated at 100 C. Thermal death times of four mushroom pathogens cultured in soil prior to treatment when subjected to aerated steam were determined over a range of temp between 43.5 and 82.2 C (110-180 F) for 30 min. Agaricus bisporus, Geotrichum candidum, Mycogone perniciosa, Verticillium malthousei, and Trichoderma viride could not be isolated from soil treated at 54.4 C, or higher.