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Gray snow mold — Typhula incarnata, Typhula ishikariensis
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
This disease is important in northern regions of the United States, where snow cover remains on the ground for extended periods, usually 3 months or more. After the snow melts in the spring, symptoms can be observed as circular straw-colored or grayish brown infection centers in the turf. The spots range from 3 inches to 2 feet (7.6 cm - 0.6 m) in diameter, but most are between 6-12 inches (15-30 cm). Infected turf is matted down with grayish white mycelium of the fungus often seen along the margins of the diseased area shortly after snow melt.
Typhula blight is worse in winters when snow falls on unfrozen turf. The fungus grows and infects at temperatures between 30 and 55° F (-1° and 12.7° C). The two species T. incarnata, and T. ishikariensis can be distinguished by the fruiting structures, or sclerotia, they produce on infected turfgrass. T. incarnata produces relatively large, copper-colored sclerotia with diameters that are typically larger than the width of the grass blade, while T. ishikariensis produces small, black sclerotia whose diameters are less than the width of the grass blade. T. incarnata is most significant in the eastern U.S. and Canada, and T. ishikariensis prevails in the colder regions of the world, where snow cover remains for three or more months.
This disease is important in northern regions of the United States, where snow cover remains on the ground for extended periods, usually 3 months or more. After the snow melts in the spring, symptoms can be observed as circular straw-colored or grayish brown infection centers in the turf. The spots range from 3 inches to 2 feet (7.6 cm - 0.6 m) in diameter, but most are between 6-12 inches (15-30 cm). Infected turf is matted down with grayish white mycelium of the fungus often seen along the margins of the diseased area shortly after snow melt.
Typhula blight is worse in winters when snow falls on unfrozen turf. The fungus grows and infects at temperatures between 30 and 55° F (-1° and 12.7° C). The two species T. incarnata, and T. ishikariensis can be distinguished by the fruiting structures, or sclerotia, they produce on infected turfgrass. T. incarnata produces relatively large, copper-colored sclerotia with diameters that are typically larger than the width of the grass blade, while T. ishikariensis produces small, black sclerotia whose diameters are less than the width of the grass blade. T. incarnata is most significant in the eastern U.S. and Canada, and T. ishikariensis prevails in the colder regions of the world, where snow cover remains for three or more months.
Also Known As...
Typhula blight- Location:
» Home, Golf Course
- General Symptoms:
» Circle, Patch
- Foliar Symptoms:
» Brown
- Time of Year:
» Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Irrigated:
» Yes, No
- Hosts:
» Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Creeping Bentgrass, Annual Bluegrass, Colonial Bent
It is important to avoid lush and actively growing turf going into the winter months. Nitrogen applications should be timed so that stimulated growth does not take place near the time of snowfall. Snow removal or management techniques which limit extended periods of snow cover can often be used where applicable (golf course putting greens). No resistance to gray snow mold appears to exist in the cool season turfgrass species listed.
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- Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases 2011
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Turfgrass hosts include but are not limited to: annual bluegrass, colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, fine-leaf fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue
