You Are Here: Management Updates 2001 Archive May 3, 2001

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.

- Submitted by: Dr. Gail Schumann