Ersin Polat

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts

BACKGROUND The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April-October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem-based products and six hot-water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos-ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water-treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION The results suggest that both neem products and hot-water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly.

The effects of UV radiation during the vegetative period on antioxidant compounds and postharvest quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.)

In this study, the effects of supplementary UV radiation during the vegetative period on antioxidant compounds, antioxidant activity and postharvest quality of broccoli heads during long term storage was studied. The broccolis were grown under three different doses of supplementary UV radiation (2.2, 8.8 and 16.4 kJ/m(2)/day) in a soilless system in a glasshouse. Harvested broccoli heads were stored at 0 °C in modified atmosphere packaging for 60 days. The supplementary UV radiation (280-315 nm) during the vegetative period significantly decreased total carotenoid, the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content but increased the ascorbic acid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of broccolis. All supplementary UV treatments slightly reduced the antioxidant activity of the broccolis, however, no remarkable change was observed between 2.2 and 8.8 kJ/m(2) radiation levels. The sinigrin and glucotropaeolin contents of the broccolis were substantially increased by UV treatments. The prolonged storage period resulted in decreased ascorbic acid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity. Discoloration of the heads, due to decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, was also observed with prolonged storage duration. Glucosinolates levels showed an increasing tendency till the 45th day of storage, and then their levels started to decline. The weight loss of broccoli heads during storage progressively increased with storage time in all treatments. Total soluble solids, solids content and titratable acidity decreased continuously during storage. Titratable acidity was not affected by UV radiation doses during the storage time whereas soluble solids and solids content (dry matter) were significantly affected by UV doses. Supplementary UV radiation increased the lightness (L*) and chroma (C*) values of the broccoli heads. Pre-harvest UV radiation during vegetative period seems to be a promising tool for increasing the beneficial health components of broccolis.

Mining and utilization of mushroom ESTs for microsatellites

In the present study we report on the exploitation of expressed sequence tags (ESTs); (1) to investigate whether microsatellite densities are significantly differed among Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus ESTs, (2) between development stages of mycelia and fruiting bodies and (3) to identify microsatellite primer pairs that could be used in mushroom genetic studies. Analyses of ESTs indicated that three mushroom species and tissues showed statistically significant microsatellite densities. A total of 23 EST-microsatellite primer pairs were developed and tested on two species of mushrooms. The use of these microsatellite primer pairs could be used in genetic studies of mushroom species.

Evaluation of microbial products for the control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood).

Over the last decade, mushroom production has become one of the most actively developing fields of agriculture in Turkey. About 45% of the total mushroom production and >50% of the total compost pr...

Mushroom cultivation in Turkey as related to pest and pathogen management

Over the last two decades, mushroom growing has become one of the most dynamically developing fields of agriculture in Turkey. The white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach, accounts for up to 95% of total mushroom production value, while Pleurotus, Lentinus, Grifola, Ganoderma, Flammulina, Hericium, and Auricularia are the main specialty genera cultivated. Major insect pests are cecidomyiid, sciarid, and phorid flies, with Megaselia halterata (Wood) (Diptera: Phoridae) being the most common species from April to October. While the most serious fungal pathogens affecting the cultivation of A. bisporus in Turkey are Mycogone perniciosa Magn. (wet bubble disease), Verticillium fungicola (Pretiss.) Hassebt. (dry bubble disease), Trichoderma spp. (green molds), and Dactylium dendroides (Bulliard) Fries (cobweb disease), Bacterial blotch, caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii Paine, is the most common bacterial disease on cultivated mushroom, A. bisporus.