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Abstract: Cultures of Agaricus bisporus containing the double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) associated with Mushroom Virus X (MVX) disease (“MVX strains") were obtained from symptomatic mushrooms or from compost of diseased crops. Strains with contrasting dsRNA profiles and symptoms were used in crop infection studies. Mycelia of MVX 1283, MVX 1283-P, and MVX 2735 were introduced into healthy compost at different times and quantities. Irrespective of the time or quantity of inoculum, MVX 1283 and MVX 1283-P induced the same symptom in healthy crops, which consisted of a 1- to 2-day delay in first flush timing and a 3- to 4-day delay in second flush timing. Yields were not always reduced. dsRNA profiles were more intense when infection occurred early in the cropping cycle compared to later times. In contrast, when mycelium of MVX 2735 was incorporated into healthy compost, symptom expression was more erratic; "brown" mushrooms developed in what was a "white" crop in either the first or second flush. Symptom expression was confined to treatments where the infection rate was extremely low and was most consistent when infection occurred during bulk handling or casing. Again, dsRNA profiles were more intense when infection occurred late in the crop compared with early infection. These results highlight the complexity of MVX disease etiology.
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