Resistance of Closely Mown Fine Fescue and Bentgrass Species to Snow Mold Pathogens

Abstract

Gregos, J., Casier, M. D., and Stier, J. C. 2011. Resistance of closely mown fine fescue and bentgrass species to snow mold pathogens. Plant Dis. 95:847-852.Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is the primary species used on golf courses in temperate regions but requires prophylactic fungicide treatment to prevent snow mold diseases. We hypothesized that fine fescues {Festuca spp.) and colonial bentgrass (A. capillaris) have superior resistance to snow mold diseases compared with creeping bentgrass. Our objective was to compare the resistance of fine fescues, colonial bentgrass, and creeping bentgrass to snow mold diseases caused by Microdochium nivale and Typhula spp. Field plots were established in two separate years on fairways of three golf courses in Wisconsin to encompass the geographic distribution of snow mold pathogens. The experimental design was a split-split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Whole plots were pathogen species, host genus were subplots, host cultivars were sub-subplots, and inoculated versus noninoculated treatments were sub-sub-subplots. Plots were visually evaluated each spring for disease, turf quality, and Poa annua infestation. Data were analyzed using planned contrasts. Inoculation effects depended on pathogen type and location. Creeping bentgrass always had the most snow mold damage. Fine fescues had less snow mold damage than colonial bentgrass except for one year-location but did not provide acceptable year-long turf quality due to P. annua invasion.

Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management

“…had greater snow mold resistance relative to Agrostis spp. at golf course fairway height, suggesting that fewer fungicides may be required to suppress snow mold on fine fescues (Gregos, Casler, & Stier, 2011). Additionally, in field and growth chamber fine fescue screenings for resistance to snow molds conducted in Wisconsin and New Jersey, researchers recently observed hard fescue as generally the most resistant fine fescue to snow molds and Chewings fescue as the most susceptible (P. Koch and B. Clarke, unpublished data, 2017) (Table 2).…”

Cultivar Performance of Low-Input Turfgrass Species for the North Central United States

“…Relatively little research has been published on maintenance needs for colonial bentgrass, particularly outside of a golf course situation. Colonial bentgrasses resist invasion of Poa annua better than fine fescues in a closely mown situation (Gregos et al, 2011). In a previous low‐input trial, where no irrigation was used during establishment, colonial bentgrass, hard fescue, tall fescue, and sheep fescue performed better than a number of non‐traditional or less commonly utilized grasses (Watkins et al, 2011).…”

Fungicide strategies for the control of turfgrass winter diseases

“…None of the cool-season turfgrasses used on golf courses are resistant to microdochium patch, but annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and bentgrasses (Agrostis sp.) are usually considered more susceptible than red fescue (Festuca rubra) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis; Gregos et al 2011;Chang 2011;Kvalbein & Aamlid 2012). T. incarnata has a lower optimum temperature than M. nivale and severe infections usually require a period of snow cover (Årsvoll 1975;Smiley et al 2005).…”

“…T. incarnata has a lower optimum temperature than M. nivale and severe infections usually require a period of snow cover (Årsvoll 1975;Smiley et al 2005). The fungus attacks most cool-season grasses, but creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is more susceptible than red fescue, colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris), Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne; Chang et al 2010;Gregos et al 2011).…”