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Identification and Management of Turfgrass Diseases
Fairy ring
Symptoms and signs | Conditions | Management
Fairy ring is caused by more than 60 basidiomycete fungi, including those
producing the familiar puffballs and toadstools. The rings result from the activities
of these fungi growing radially through the thatch or soil, rather than from
a direct parasitic relationship with the turfgrass. Fairy ring occurs wherever
grass is grown.
- Type 1
Rings that result in loss of turf at the
outer margin of the ring.
- Type 2
Rings have outer margins that are darker green in color than
the surrounding turf. Fruiting bodies may or may not be found in association
with Type 1 and 2 rings.
- Type 3
Rings exhibit a ring of fruiting bodies
with no effect on the turf.
Pathogen
- Numerous fungi in the Basidiomycetes
Hosts
Symptoms and signs
Fairy rings are usually first noticed as irregular rings or arcs of darker
green grass on the turf surface (Figure 1). The darker color is caused by the
release of nitrogen as the fairy ring fungus breaks down organic matter. The
margins of the rings are often irregular or wavy. On putting surfaces especially,
the entire area defined by the ring may be darker green than the surrounding
uncolonized area (Figure 2).
The rings can remain green or progress to the point where dead grass develops
at the margin (Figure 3). Death of grass at the margin has been attributed to
moisture stress due to hydrophobic soil conditions that develop as the fairy
ring fungus grows. The death has also been linked to excess nitrogen release
or the formation of hydrogen cyanide or other toxic metabolites. With some fairy
rings, death of the grass also occurs in spots where the fruiting bodies have
emerged and then collapsed (Figure 4 top). Fairy ring with resulting loss of
turf is one of the most destructive diseases occurring on putting surfaces.
Where two or more rings meet, the margins of the individual rings are incomplete
(Figure 4 top). Rings are also disrupted by changes in soil type (Figure 5) or
by impediments such as cart paths or sidewalks. When rings form on a hillside,
the bottoms of the rings are not closed.
Fruiting bodies associated with the causal fungus may or may not emerge.
Fruiting bodies found on putting surfaces are often puffballs that form at the
outer margins of the rings (Figure 6). Other fairy ring fungi, especially those
in pastures or other areas of higher cut turf, produce larger and more spectacular
mushrooms (Figure 7).
Conditions
Fairy rings are elusive, often visible one year and not the next. Under some
environments, fairy rings are visible every year. The factors that favor symptom
expression and the growth and development of the fairy ring fungi are not well
understood. Until recently, identification of the fungal species causing fairy
ring in a given environment has keyed on fruiting body morphology and spore color,
size and shape. Recent advances in genetic techniques have allowed for identification
of some species without the presence of fruiting bodies, but this is not a widely
available diagnostic tool.
Although the biology of the fairy ring fungi is not well understood, certain
generalizations can be made. Fairy ring symptoms are usually more noticeable
in nitrogen-deficient turf, simply because more nitrogen is available to the
turfgrass plant in areas where the fairy ring fungus is decomposing organic matter.
Fairy ring is more commonly observed under heavy thatch. Fairy ring has been
observed on all soil types, but is more common on sand-based putting surfaces.
Fairy ring is especially abundant following new construction or renovation, presumably
because of low population levels or lower diversity of competitive or antagonistic
microorganisms. Nevertheless, fairy ring can also occur on older putting surfaces,
especially under heavy thatch or where severe layering is an issue. Greens topdressed
with fine sand are also more prone to fairy ring.
Moisture is important to fairy ring development and symptom expression. Type
2 rings are more likely to progress to damaging Type 1 rings when moisture is
limiting. Ring margins typically fire on windy days with low relative humidity.
Once browning has occurred, the soil is difficult to rehydrate. Fruiting bodies
are more common under wet, humid conditions.
Management
Management of fairy ring on putting surfaces has been achieved with varying
levels of success by application of one or more of the fungicides labeled for
fairy ring control or suppression. Fungicides labeled against fairy ring include
Heritage, Insignia and Prostar. Also included in this list are Bayleton and Endorse
under a FIFRA Section 2(ee) registration. The level of fairy ring control or
suppression with fungicide has varied widely from one location to the next. There
are a number of factors that most likely contribute to inconsistent results.
The application method is important. To increase the chances for success, the
area to be treated should be spiked or quadratined before fungicide application.
The use of a wetting agent just before fungicide application or as a tank mix
with the fungicide may increase efficacy. Follow individual label recommendations.
Another factor that no doubt contributes to inconsistent results is that
in most cases the targeted fairy ring species is unknown, so there is no effective
way to determine how deep the fungus is growing. Also, fungicides labeled for
fairy ring management differ in the fairy ring species listed on the labels.
Until the biology of these fungi is better understood, finding the right product
and application method for your facility may have to be achieved by trial and
error.
On greens with a history of fairy ring that expresses as Type 1, fungicide
application in combination with cultural practices can be a useful tool. Preventing
firing of the fairy rings and subsequent loss of turf can often be achieved by
diligent monitoring of moisture status in these areas, combined with wetting
agent application, spiking and hand watering as needed to prevent drying. Removal
of excess thatch is also necessary.
Symptom expression can often be masked with application of judicious amounts
of either nitrogen or iron, or both. The level of success with this approach
will depend on the nutrient status of the turf.
Fairy rings on home lawns seldom cause extensive damage; however, homeowners
often consider the mushrooms to be unsightly or express concerns about ingestion
by children or pets. Removal of mushrooms by hand or by mowing is recommended
where pets or children may be exposed, because many of the fairy ring fungi as
well as other mushrooms in lawns are toxic. Masking symptoms with small amounts
of nitrogen or iron may be effective in some cases.
IPM1029, new June 2007
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