South Africa Turf Disease Guide - Fairy Ring

Disease and Insect Control

11.11.2021

Varying Causes and Symptoms:

Three types of Fairy Ring symptoms can change the appearance and/or health of turfgrass.

Both warm and cool season grasses are susceptible to Fairy Ring, and the disease is most damaging in the sandy soils that are preferred for putting greens. By creating optimal playing conditions for the golfer, we also create optimal growing conditions for fairy ring pathogens.

Integrated Turf Management Tips:

Maintainregular,preventiveapplicationswithHeritageMaxxthroughouttheseason.
Initiateapplicationsearlyintheseasonwhensoiltemperaturesreach12°Cto15°C.
Delivertheactiveingredienttotheinfestedzoneofthesoilprofile.
Applysoilsurfactantsregularlytomaintainsoilconditionsandturfhealth.
Preventivefungicideapplicationsdonotrequiretank-mixing with a soil surfactant, but curative applications generally do.
Determinehowdeepfairyringinfestationisforwatering-inproductapplications.
2.5–3.8mm of irrigation is needed if limited to the thatch layer.
6.3mm of irrigation if 50-80mm deep in soil.
Repeat applications on regular intervals to maintain consistent suppression in the soil.

Fungicides are a long-term, preventive approach, not a short-term fix.

Superficial Fairy Ring

Causal Agent:

Coprinus kubickae, Melanotus phillipsii, Trechispora alnicola, Trechispora cohaerens, Trechispora farinacea, other species

Susceptible Turfgrass:

Most species of warm and cool season turfgrass

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on the type of Superficial Fairy Ring. This disease can cause patches with felted, white mycelium. Sometimes the patch is sunken and has a ring that measures approximately 2.5 cm wide at the border. Also, the lower leaves on the turfgrass in the affected areas can die.

Conditions Favouring Disease:

Superficial Fairy Ring is favored by the summer season for cool season turfgrass. For areas where warm season turfgrass is the principle turfgrass species and dormancy is sporadic or doesn’t occur, superficial fairy ring can be a common problem. While the patches typically disappear in the cool seasons for cool season turf or in the summer for warm-season turf, they can remain if the turf is not properly managed.

Integrated Turf Management Tips: