Date: May 3, 2001
Category: Diseases Subject: Heat and Drought, Fairy Ring
The unusually hot and dry weather is having an obvious impact on turf
in many areas. Symptoms are exacerbated in many places because soil temperatures
were quite low until this week and typical spring root growth had not
occurred. Many turfgrass plants, especially Poa annua suffering
from winter injury, are exhibiting wilting, tip yellowing and/or browning,
and thinning as the tops of the plants are exposed to summer weather conditions
and the roots are not able to meet their water needs. A key feature of
these symptoms is the overall, uniform appearance unlike the more localized
symptoms common in fungal disease situations. Symptoms are most evident
where thatch is thick, soil is compacted, and/or roots are shallow. The
hydrophobic effects of fairy ring fungi in soil and thatch are often visible.
One case of superficial fairy ring, where the white mat of mycelium forms
a hydrophobic layer on the soil surface, has been submitted to the diagnostic
lab. Hand watering, use of wetting agents, and frequent syringing can
help turf survive during this dry weather.
