You Are Here: Management Updates 2000 Archive March 6, 2000

Date: March 6, 2000
Category: Diseases
Subject: Snow Molds

Snow molds may be visible following the melting of the snow. In most lawn situations, snow molds will rapidly disappear without treatment. Simply rake away damaged tissue to allow the new growth to develop.

On golf courses, Typhula blight (gray snow mold) will not develop further once snow melts. Damage is generally restricted to the leaf blades, which should be raked away to allow regrowth of the turf. Gray snow mold is identified by the relatively large patches, bluegray to white mycelium on the patch or at the leading edge of the patch, and usually beige to brown sclerotia about the size of a sesame seed.

Fusarium patch (pink snow mold) is identified by the absence of sclerotia, smaller patches of a tan to coppery color, sometimes with whitish to pink mycelium, usually at the leading edge of the patch. Fusarium patch can kill turf by invading the crowns and can remain active into the spring as long as the weather remains cool and moist. A fungicide application may be necessary if the disease remains active.

- Submitted by: Dr. Gail Schumann