Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 42(3-4) 2005 CHEMICAL CONTROL OF MUSHROOM MITE (TARSONIMIDAE) AT DIFFERENT TIME INTERVALS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF DICOFOL, ABAMECTIN AND HEXYTHIAZOX Muhammad Hussnain Babar, Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Hamid Bashir and Muhammad Asif Ali Department of Agri. Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Present studies were carried out on chemical control of mushroom mites (Tarsonimidae) at different time intervals and concentrations of Dicofol, Abamectin and Hexythiazox. The acaricides used included dicotol 18.5 EC with three concentrations (1.5ml/L, 2.0ml/L, and 2.5mI/L), abamectin 1.8 EC (1.5ml/L, 2.0ml/L, and 2.5mI/L) and hexythiazox 10WP (0.25g/L, 0.35g/L and 0.45g/L). All the acaricides used gave significant reduction in the mite's population and gave satisfactory results as compared to untreated check. On numerical basis the highest mites population suppression (92.37%) was recorded by the application of dicofol 18.5 EC with 2.5ml/L after 72 hours, followed by (92.29%) and (75.91 %) with abamectin 1.8 EC with 2.5ml/L after 72 hours and hexythiazox 10 WP with 0.35g/L after 72 hours. Key words: Mushroom mite, chemical control, acaricides and wheat straw compost. INTRODUCTION Mushroom is a very important crop which served as delicacy on the menu of metro-politon hotels of Pakistan. The fresh mushrooms contain 85.90% moisture, 3% protein 4% carbohydrates, 0.3-0.4 % fat and vitamins (Tewari, 1986). The mushroom protein is considered intermediate between that of animals and vegetables (Kurtazman, 1975). Mites are serious pest of mushroom which causes 10-50% loss of the crop (Zou et al., 1993). Tarsonemid mites feed on mycelium and causing the infested mushroom to develop an "off white" colour. Sometimes the base of the stem can become reddish-brown, development of mushrooms is restricted. Brennandania lambi is one of the most serious mite pest of mushrooms in Australia and China (Ferragut et al., 1997). In the past, efforts have been made in some countries on chemical control of mushroom mites. Some scientists who made significant contributions in this regard are Clift and Terras (1989), Heungens and Tirry (2001), Rathia et al. (1997) and Wu and Zhang (1993). In Pakistan no work has been carried out in this regard. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiments were carried out in the Acarology Research Laboratory Department of Agri. Entomology University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Wheat straw compost was prepared under the shade. Material of compost 1. Wheat straw = 150kg 2. Chicken manure = 60kg 3. Gypsum = 5.25kg Procedure for preparation of compost 150 kg wheat straw was well moisturized daily up to three days to make it soft for microbial activity. After it 60kg chicken manure was mixed in wet and moist wheat straw , the moisture of compost material was maintained up to 80-90%, then heap was made one meter high and 6 turnings was done according to given schedule. After mixing the chicken manure in the moist wheat straw microbial activity was started and temperature of the compost material was increased due to microbial activity. The turnings were done to maintain the moisture, temperature and aeration to increase the microbial activity in the compost material. Turning method First the heap of compost was divided in to three layers Lower layer (1st layer), Middle layer (2 nd layer) Upper layer (3'd layer), Then changed their position by placing 1st layer at the position of 3'd layer, 2 nd layer at the position of 1st layer and 3'd layer at position of 2 nd layer. This fashion was repeated in the same manner at the time of turning. Turning schedule o day s" day 9 th day iz" day rs" day 18 th day 21 st day prepare the heap. 1st turning 2 nd turning 3 rd turning + half quantity of gypsum. 4 th turning + next half quantity of gypsum. s" t . urrunq = s" turning (last turning) 42