Susceptible Turfgrasses:
All turfgrasses
Identification:
Fairy Ring can manifest in three distinct types:
Type 3:
Simple rings or crescents of mushrooms with no additional turf symptoms.
Type 2:
Rings or crescents of mushrooms accompanied by a green stimulation zone.
Type 1 (Most Severe):
Circular rings, crescents, or arcs with visible dead zones in the turf.
Initial Symptoms:
Areas display a blue-gray wilt caused by hydrophobic soil (water-repelling), leading to turf death from drought stress.
Advanced Symptoms:
Wilted or dead areas develop darker green inner and outer zones, particularly in higher-cut turfgrass.
On golf greens, some green stimulation may appear at the edges of affected areas.
Additional Indicators:
Mushrooms or puffballs often emerge during rainy periods.
Affected thatch has a light brown to orange color and a strong mushroom odor.
Favorable Conditions:
The following factors favor Fairy Ring development:
Seasonality:
Most commonly appears in early to mid-summer, though it can also develop during mild late-fall or winter periods.
Rainfall:
Heavy spring rains are especially conducive to disease onset.
Progression:
As summer heat intensifies, symptoms worsen, particularly in response to heat stress or drought conditions.
Mechanism of Damage:
The primary mechanism of damage is the fungi’s ability to render the soil hydrophobic, preventing water absorption.
The damage is caused by drought stress, not parasitism of the turfgrass.
Management Tips:
Water Management:
Address hydrophobic soil by applying wetting agents or aerating the affected area to improve water infiltration.
Turf Maintenance:
Avoid drought stress by maintaining consistent irrigation, especially during hot and dry conditions.
Nutrient Management:
Fertilize to encourage uniform turf growth, mitigating the visible effects of fairy ring.
Fungicide Application:
Preventive fungicides can help limit the spread of Type 1 fairy rings.
On chronically affected greens, collars and approaches, preventively apply an effective fungicide in early spring in combination with a soil wetting agent.
Repeat applications on a 28-day interval when soil temperatures are > 60°F are recommended to provide season-long control.
Cultural Practices:
Regular dethatching and aeration reduce organic material where fungi thrive.
