Agora Web site available to AMI members

Mushroom News, April, 2007 by Laura Phelps

The Agora Web site was developed by the Australian Mushroom Growers Association and Horticulture Australia. In 2004, the U.S. based Mushroom Council purchased rights to this disease and pest management platform, originally authored by Judy Allen and Alan Clift of Australia. Information on the U.S. site has been reviewed and edited by David Beyer, Ph.D. of Penn State University, and Jan Ollinger, Ph.D., consultant to the industry.

Agora provides a central point where members can access information on several aspects of mushroom pests, diseases and pesticides. This is a "self help" concept, established to improve the management of mushroom pests and diseases in the industry.

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There is information on identification, biology and management of the main pests and diseases. Copies of pesticide labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and articles of interest on pest and disease management are included. The concept of IPM--integrated pest management--and its logical extension to include disease management (IPDM) is emphasized throughout.

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Also available on the site is the IPM Handbook, produced through collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State University and the American Mushroom Institute.

There are specific sections, displayed at the top of the Knowledge Base home page, on Pests (flies, mites, nematodes), Diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral, weed molds), Disorders (stem, scaliness, clumping) and Pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants).

If you have suggestions on topics that should be added to the Agora Web site, http://www.councilagora.org or for access information, please contact the AMI Washington office, 202/842-4344.

Laura Phelps, AMI

President

AMI Update is a regular column that covers topics relevant to members.

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