Flutolanil for Control of Necrotic Fairy Rings on Bermudagrass Putting Greens

Abstract

Type 1 (necrotic) fairy rings in turfgrass result in dead or badly damaged grass. This type of fairy ring is a severe problem on golf course greens as they interfere with the aesthetics and playability of the putting surface. In Florida, Lycoperdon spp., basidiomycetes that produce puffball mushrooms, have been implicated as a common cause of Type 1 fairy rings on hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) putting greens. The fungicide flutolanil has basidiomycetes as the sole fungal target. It is also the only carboxin-related fungicide registered for use on turfgrass. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of flutolanil as a curative and preventive treatment for fairy ring caused by Lycoperdon. One experiment, established after the rings were present, determined that flutolanil significantly reduced mushroom production. The second experiment was conducted on a golf course that had experienced Type 1 fairy rings previously. One-half of each of nine putting greens was treated with flutolanil on a preventive basis. The other half of each green served as an untreated control. Type 1 fairy rings, due to Lycoperdon, developed only on the untreated control half of each green. These experiments confirm that flutolanil does have curative and preventive activity against Lycoperdon spp. that cause Type 1 fairy rings.