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Abstract: Recent years' studies have disclosed valuable information about X-disease (La France disease) virus being the causal agent. In particular the discovery that infected mushroom spores are the main source of transmission has been of great importance to the commercial industry. This paper deals with 2 years of experimentation during which the disastrous effect of the disease has been further demonstrated. A simple method has been devised which has made it possible to determine the degree of infection on a mushroom farm. It has been proven that a virus attack cannot always be detected solely by symptoms and that apparently healthy mushrooms may contain virus. The mixing of 'slurry' from infected fruit bodies with compost at spawning has led to complete crop failure. The method is very sensitive and even a very mild attack can be detected. Releasing infected spores mixed with compost at spawning – has clearly demonstrated the dangers of open mushrooms on the beds. Experiments have shown that peak-heated compost exposed even for a short time, prior to spawning, either outside or inside a mushroom house in production, has given a greatly reduced crop On the other hand, infected casing soil (with seriously diseased spores) did not show reduction in yield. The protection of compost before and during spawning, and until casing is strongly emphasised.
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