Occurrence of black rot of cultivated mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii in Korea

From black spots on winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes), fluorescent bacteria were repeatedly isolated during surveys at places of production in the years 2009-2010 in Korea. From these lesions three bacterial strains (designated CHM13, CHM16, CHM17) were isolated which, following inoculation of mushroom stipes and caps, yielded characteristic black spots and sunken lesions, which developed into a severe black rot. Results of Gram stain and biochemical tests preliminarily identified these isolates as Pseudomonas tolaasii. This was confirmed by pathogenicity to winter mushroom, physiological and biochemical properties, analysis of the 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences, fatty acids profile, specific and sensitive PCR assays and, lipopeptide detection. This is the first report of the isolation of Pseudomonas tolaasii from cultivated winter mushroom in Korea.