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Microdochium patch — Microdochium nivale
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
This is the most important disease in areas with extended periods of cool wet weather. Symptoms appear as reddish brown to copper-colored spots in the turf. Without snow cover, the spots range in diameter from less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) to about 8 in. (20 cm) in diameter. With snow cover, the circular spots are usually 2-3 in. to 1-2 ft. (5-7.6 cm to 0.3-0.6 m) in diameter, and are tan to reddish brown. Pink mycelia of the fungus can often be seen shortly after snow melt near the margin of the infected patch.
The pathogen can survive as mycelium and spores in the thatch and will actively grow on the grass residue until infection takes place when temperatures are below 60° F (15.5° C). Snow cover is NOT necessary for infection; cool wet periods (32-46° F [0-8° C]) especially those with alternating thawing, cold, fogs, and light drizzling rain are most conducive for disease spread.
This is the most important disease in areas with extended periods of cool wet weather. Symptoms appear as reddish brown to copper-colored spots in the turf. Without snow cover, the spots range in diameter from less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) to about 8 in. (20 cm) in diameter. With snow cover, the circular spots are usually 2-3 in. to 1-2 ft. (5-7.6 cm to 0.3-0.6 m) in diameter, and are tan to reddish brown. Pink mycelia of the fungus can often be seen shortly after snow melt near the margin of the infected patch.
The pathogen can survive as mycelium and spores in the thatch and will actively grow on the grass residue until infection takes place when temperatures are below 60° F (15.5° C). Snow cover is NOT necessary for infection; cool wet periods (32-46° F [0-8° C]) especially those with alternating thawing, cold, fogs, and light drizzling rain are most conducive for disease spread.
Also Known As...
Pink snow mold- Location:
» Home, Golf Course
- General Symptoms:
» Circle, Patch, Spot, Irregular
- Foliar Symptoms:
» Brown, Orange
- Time of Year:
» Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Irrigated:
» Yes, No
- Hosts:
» Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Creeping Bentgrass, Annual Bluegrass, Colonial Bent
As with Typhula blight, lush turfgrass growth just before the snow mold season will make turf more susceptible to disease. Therefore, fertilizer applications should be timed accordingly to avoid such growth late into the season. Nitrogen applications should be scheduled early enough to give the turfgrass a chance to harden off before the snow or frost sets in, or before grass becomes dormant. Fall mowing to prevent turf matting can aide in eliminating a potential "microenvironment" conducive for disease development.
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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, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, fine-leaf fescues, tall fescues, and colonial bentgrass.
