DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR BUTTON MUSHROOM (AGARICUS BISPORUS) CULTIVATION TO MANAGE DISEASES AND IMPROVE YIELD AND TO OPTIMIZE CULTIVATION PRACTICES FOR SPECIALTY MUSHROOMS, INCLUDING MORELS (MORCHELLA SPP.)

These following objectives will be investigated simultaneously and each will continue for the duration of the project:Objective 1 - Survey Bacillus populations in raw materials and different commercially produced Phase II compost to test for efficacy of different isolates against fungal pathogens, focusing on Trichoderma aggressivum.Objective 2 - Investigate the role that compost and casing indigenous microbial communities play on Bacillus spp. survival and growth.Objective 3 - Study the epidemiology and etiology of the pathogen Syzygites megalocarpus.Objective 4 - To evaluate OMRI certified biopesticide formulations and macrobials that are commercially available in vitro and in vivo against indigenous fungal isolates.Objective 5 - Evaluate the yield potential of several Morchella spp. under varying growing conditions in both outside and indoor production systems.