Integrated Pest Management Strategy (IPM) for Control of M. Scalaris Attacking Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus) in Western Kenya

Abstract

M. scalaris is a pest of economic importance in oyster production in western Kenya but adapted pest control measures have been associated with individual shortcomings. The aim of the current study is to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that will provide efficient pest control measure against M. scalaris while favoring growth and yield of oyster mushroom. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was established at three sites across three seasons in this area in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Pest control measures;- three layered nylon netting material (physical barrier),  Decis (synthetic insecticide), potted Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) + High spawn rate (8% w/w spawn), IPM [three layered nylon netting material + potted Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) + High spawn rate (8% w/w spawn)], High spawn rate (8% w/w spawn) and Normal spawn rate (6% w/w) (check) were treatments replicated three times. M. scalaris were sampled, identified and counted weekly per treatment. Days to: - full spawn run, pin head formation, first and second flushes as well as fresh weight and %BE was recorded. Data collected was analyzed using GENSTAT statistical software version 12 and significant differences tested at 5% level of significance. Mean reactions were separated by contrast comparison. Incidences of M. scalaris across treatments showed significant differences (p < 0.05). IPM and decis (insecticide) had lowest M. scalaris incidences compared to Normal spawn rate but IPM had highest fresh weight (131.4gms) and %BE (26.3) with shortest duration to various developmental stages of oyster mushroom. A mean separation of these two-treatment comparison in terms of incidences of M. scalaris was not significantly different (p < 0.05) while days to developmental stages and yield of oyster mushroom between these two treatments was significantly different (p < 0.05). Thus, IPM managed M. scalaris while enhancing growth and yield of oyster mushroom.