Microdochium patch on golf courses

Joseph Vargas, Jr., Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant Pathology, and Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences -

Microdochium patch (pink snow mold) has been active on golf courses with the recent rainfall and cool temperatures.

The weather of the last week with temperatures in the 60s and plenty of precipitation have resulted in ideal conditions for the development of Microdochium patch. I would suggest you consider making a fungicide application to prevent the disease from occurring on your golf turf. This time of year when the disease occurs, new infections appear as small, copper-colored spots, usually 1 to 3 inches in diameter. You may also see it developing on the outer edges of old Microdochium patches still evident from the winter Infection.

Microdochium patch
Microdochium patch on a golf course fairway

This disease is sometimes mistakenly referred to as copper spot, which is a disease of velvet bentgrass that occurs when the temperatures are in the 80s. Microdochium patch can also be spread by mowers which results in streaking much like what occurs with Pythium blight. The Qo I fungicides, iprodione and vinclozolin, are excellent fungicides for the control of this disease. Chlorothalonil and mancozeb are also excellent choices if applied before the disease is evident.

For tips on identifying turf diseases and management recommendations, visit www.msuturfdiseases.net.

Thanks to all of the golf courses that participated in the teetimes4turf auction to support our research at MSU. The auction includes rounds of golf from around the state of Michigan and some special packages that include tickets to MSU football games. The auction ends Sunday night (May 13).

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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