Trichoderma green mould disease: a case study in a Pleurotus ostreatus farm. Preliminary data

In a mushroom farm located in Emilia-Romagna (north Italy), a drastic reduction of Pleurotus ostreatus yield associated with green mould disease was observed. Disease symptoms consisting in dense white mycelium patches followed by green sporulation areas, were observed in the growing substrate during spawn run and fruiting stages. No symptoms were observed on basidiomata. Samples of commercial P. ostreatus inoculum, growing substrate and indoor air were analysed to determine the density of Trichoderma. Trichoderma species were identified by molecular tools. Preliminary results are reported in this paper. T. pleurotum and T. pleuroticola were identified as responsible for the disease. The role of T. harzianum is discussed.