You’d
think golf course superintendents in my territory would get a break during
winter months. After all, weather in the North Central Region can be brutal
from November through March. But there’s one thing they have to prepare for
each year — the threat of snow mold.
Snow
mold can be nasty. Despite good cultural practices and proper fertility, golf
course turf may not be hardy enough to withstand snow mold. Turfgrasses are
weakened by low temperatures, especially when covered with a blanket of snow
for long stretches of time. And that’s when fungi that thrive in cold
temperatures move in and take over.
 |
| Feature Photo Credit: Paul Koch, Ph. D., University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Two
types of snow mold are prevalent on cool-season golf course turf:
Typhula
blight — gray or speckled snow mold. Symptoms are circular straw-colored or grayish
brown infection spots, ranging from 3 to 24 inches. Infected turf is matted
with grayish white mycelium of the fungus along the margins of the diseased
area shortly after snow melt.
Microdochium
nivale — pink snow mold. Plants with Microdochium patch will appear
water-soaked, necrotic or chlorotic. On dead plants superintendents might see
pink structures — hence the name — but they are not always observed.
Snow
mold damage compromises turf quality and delays turf recovery when the
temperature rises. Damaged turf is also vulnerable to encroachment by weeds,
including annual bluegrass.
Plan in Fall for Success in Spring
So,
superintendents in Michigan, Wisconsin and the northern parts of Illinois,
Indiana and Ohio know they must plan in the fall for success in the spring.
Fortunately for them — and superintendents throughout the rest of the country
who face other diseases – Fame™ +T fungicide
is here.
Fame
+T is a suspension concentrate combination of Fluoxastrobin and Tebuconazole
that optimizes resistance management with dual modes of action. University
testing has shown that it protects from both root and foliar diseases,
including dollar spot, snow mold and brown patch.
Fame
+T offers quick penetration of leaf surfaces, allowing translaminar movement
throughout the plant tissue. At the same time, systemic root activity allows
turf to readily take up Fluoxastrobin and translocate it throughout the xylem
to all plant parts.
To
protect your turf against pink and gray snow molds, make a single application
of Fame +T prior to permanent snow cover. If two applications are needed, make
the first application at the beginning of dormancy and another one just prior
to permanent snow cover.
Now
that Fame +T is available, golf course superintendents can relax more during
those long winter months and not worry about what awaits them in the spring
when the snow melts.
A.J. Hephner
FMC Market Specialist, North Central/Midwest Region
