How to Prevent Trichoderma (Green Fungus) Attacks

Step 1. Trichoderma is a spore that grows into a green fungus on plants. Therefore, trichoderma is also commonly called "green fungus". Although it does not damage crops, green mold inhibits the growth and kills fungal species, such as fungi, causing problems for farmers and mushroom entrepreneurs.

• Trichoderma usually grows in plant roots below the soil surface, making it difficult to detect in certain types of plants.
• Trichoderma is difficult to eradicate because it is resistant to pesticides.

Step 1. Trichoderma very easy to spread and can grow in all types of soil. You can find trichoderma anywhere because its growth is not limited to a certain geographic area, as long as the natural conditions are in accordance with the trichoderma habitat.

Trichoderma is very easy to grow in fungal substrates. Therefore, the mushroom substrate must be steamed after harvest

Question 3 of 10: What does trichoderma smell like?

Step 1. The smell of trichoderma is similar to the smell of coconut

This smell comes from the green mold that you smell when you check for mold growth. In addition to the distinctive green color, trichoderma can be detected through its aroma.

In general, trichoderma species are harmless to humans. When you find a green fungus, do not smell the aroma so that the spores enter the respiratory tract

Question 4 of 10: What should I do if I find trichoderma ?

Step 1. Immediately remove all objects that have trichoderma from the mushroom growing area

Isolation is the best solution because the growth and spread of green mold is very fast. Keep any bags, utensils, substrate, mold, or flowerpots with green mold away from healthy mold. Then, wash with cloth bleach or alcohol to kill the spores. This step can prevent plants or fungi from becoming infected with trichoderma.

Question 5 of 10: What is the best way to stop the growth of trichoderma?

Step 1. Steam the room for growing mushrooms after harvest

Green fungus can grow in flowerpots and soil. An unsterile environment is the main cause of green fungus spreading to plants or newly growing fungi. The best way to sterilize a mushroom nursery is to steam the room at 66°C for 12 hours. This step can kill the green mold spores that are still there and do not attack the newly growing fungus.

• This method is recommended for rooms where substrates or mushroom growing media contain spores are stored. If you're not using a substrate, steam the room for 24 hours instead of just 12.
• If you don't grow mushrooms on a large scale, there may not be a means to steam the room. You can rent the tool. It is about the size of a vacuum cleaner or oven. Turn it on for 20-24 hours to kill the green mold spores on the substrate or flower pot.

Step 1. Can

Trichoderma is usually spread through healthy plants or fungi. If you're not careful, contaminated utensils and flowerpots can make the entire plant overgrown with green mold. The best way to prevent this is to disinfect all equipment after each use. Soak the utensils in cloth bleach diluted in 10% water for 30 minutes or use a cloth dampened with alcohol to wipe the utensils to kill green mold spores.

• Equipment is kept clean when washed with soap and warm water, but does not completely kill green mold spores. Use a disinfectant, such as alcohol or bleach to prevent the green mold from spreading.
• Get in the habit of washing your hands before handling mushrooms. If the hands are not clean, the newly sown fungus can be attacked by trichoderma or other pests.

Question 7 of 10: Does soil pH affect trichoderma growth?

Step 1. Yes

Trichoderma thrives more easily in soils that have a low pH. Soils with a pH of 4-6 are ideal for trichoderma because they grow very quickly in soils with low acidity. This can be good news because mold is easier to grow in soil with a high pH between 5-7. You can inhibit the growth of trichoderma by keeping the pH of the substrate or soil between 6-7.

An easy way to increase the pH of the growing media is to sprinkle a little lime juice on the soil or substrate

Question 8 of 10: Do high temperatures and humidity support the growth of trichoderma?

Step 1. Yes

Trichoderma grows faster in an environment of high temperature and humidity. Try to reduce the temperature and humidity in the mushroom growing area to prevent the growth of the green fungus. The ideal temperature for trichoderma is 27-30° C. So, try to keep the temperature of the mushroom growing room below 27° C so that the green fungus cannot live.

Some of these requirements may not support fungal growth. Prioritize ideal conditions that support mold growth, then monitor it to prevent the growth of green mold

Question 9 of 10: How to kill trichoderma ?

Step 1. Soak the mushrooms in hot water to kill the green mushrooms

The bad news is that trichoderma is difficult to eradicate once it begins to grow because it is resistant to chemicals and pesticides. However, green mold can be killed by picking the mushrooms that are attacked, and then soaking them in water heated to 60°C for 30 minutes to kill fungal spores.

• Mushrooms that are attacked by green mold can't grow big because they are picked early, but at least they can be saved.
• If there are mushrooms that are attacked by green mold, immediately separate them from healthy mushrooms. The spread of trichoderma is very fast even though it has been inhibited by hot water.

Step 1. Trichoderma commonly used as fertilizer and antifungal for plants. Ironically, trichoderma is very beneficial if you no growing mushrooms. Green fungus attacks fungal species, such as mushrooms, so it is useful to kill fungi on plants. Farmers around the world love trichoderma, as long as they don't grow mushrooms!