Top of the Problems 2005

摘要

Following two years when fairy rings occupied the top spot, microdochium patch (previously called fusarium patch) has moved back into the No. 1 slot. The mild, wet end to the summer and start to the autumn led to widespread outbreaks of microchium patch (Plate 1). We are in a similar position now as we were last year when October and November were very mild and wet and microdochium patch very widespread. In general, many course managers and greenkeepers that experienced very badly affected surfaces last year were more proactive with a timely application of a systemic fungicide this year and so did not suffer as much damage during the early autumn months. Once the symptoms have been observed, especially where the disease is very active and spreadingor the soil temperatures are low, a contact fungicide will give much better knockdown of the disease. As the grass' potential to recover from infection is much lower during the colder months, it is much better to try to prevent infection occurring in the first place by careful attention to dew removal, type and timing of fertiliser, aeration, thatch control, encouraging air flow and judicious use of fungicides.