Fusarium - What is it all about?

Okay, so in my last post, I mentioned that we had solid tined the greens last week due to signs of fusarium patch. Like I mentioned, the idea is to keep the surfaces dry and ensure surface water drains away. So, we have a John Deere Aercore 800 (like in the picture below):

This punches solid tines into the green to create a hole for water to drain through. We then mow afterwards to smooth the surface and help to restore playability.

Our aim, as always, is to do the right thing for the golf course and, wherever possible, to ensure golfers enjoy their round. We realise that, on occasion, our work can impact upon surface playability but we strive, at all times, to take the best course of action for the golf course and the members in both the short and long term.

So, what has solid tining got to do with Fusarium? Fusarium (Michrodochium nivale) is a disease of turfgrasses and is commonly seen on golf greens in mild temperatures in autumn, spring and winter (but not limited to these seasons). It is linked with surface moisture (heavy and/or consistent rain for example) and thatch (dead grass shoots and roots). The pathogen can affect a variety of fine turf grass species (fescue, bent, poa) Often, when discussing turf disease, we refer to the disease triangle:

Basically, for disease to prevail, all three factors need to be present. Therefore, a susceptible host (grass), the pathogen (fusarium, in this case) and correct environmental conditions (usually moisture, thatch, poor drainage, adequate fertility) all encourage this disease.

A good analogy is Hay Fever in humans. In the UK, it is possible to be susceptible to this because all 3 factors are present (Human, Pollen, Histamine). Go to the Arctic circle or the Sahara desert and you immediately start to eliminate factors from the disease/affliction triangle. Therefore, we as greenkeepers have to adopt a similar mentality to the golf course to minimise and reduce the onset of Fusarium patch.

My initial impressions of the greens at Poulton Park Golf Club are that they indicate that James Billington adopted good greenkeeping techniques in order to improve the soil profile, improve greens playability, reduce dependence upon fungicides (a sticking plaster approach - in my opinion) and, ultimately, work towards a more sustainable management approach in the long term. I intend to do more of the same. I cannot guarantee perfect greens 365 days/year. But I am committed to ensuring that the greens continue to improve to the best of our abilities and to minimise surface disruption as much as possible.

So, as you are now asking, what does Fusarium look like? Well take a look at the image below and you will probably see it at some stage in the future. 

Lastly, what is the course of action to try and minimise Fusarium? I'll leave you with some bedtime reading:

http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/facts-about-fusarium-patch.html

I'm hoping now that you are all ready for a quiz??!! Let's leave that until I see you out on the golf course!