This document discusses the prevention and management of fairy ring in golf course putting greens. It describes the different types of symptoms caused by fairy ring fungi, including rings of dead or damaged grass. While fairy ring fungi do not infect turfgrass, they leave hydrophobic coatings on soil and thatch as they grow. The document evaluates different fungicide options for controlling fairy ring, including azoxystrobin, flutolanil, polyoxin D, and pyraclostrobin. It also discusses the importance of application timing based on soil temperature for preventative control of root diseases like fairy ring.

1. Fairy Ring Prevention and Management
in Golf Course Putting Greens
Lane Tredway and Lee Miller
Department of Plant Pathology
North Carolina State University

3. Symptoms Induced by Fairy Ring Fungi
Type I
• kills grass or badly damages it
Type II
• rings of dark green or quickly growing turf
Type III
• mushrooms produced in a ring pattern

4. Fairy ring fungi do not infect turf, they grow on thatch and soil.

5. Type II fairy ring symptom

6. Fairy ring symptoms are most evident in under-fertilized turf

7. Initial Type I fairy ring symptoms

8. Type I fairy ring symptom

9. Fairy ring fungi leave a hydrophobic coating on thatch and soil.

10. Fairy ring fungi leave a hydrophobic coating on thatch and soil.

11. Fairy ring fungi leave a hydrophobic coating on thatch and soil.

12. Type III fairy ring symptoms

13. Agaricus arvensis Hydnellum suaveolens Marasmius oreades
Agaricus campestris Hydnum compactum
Marasmius siccus
Agrocybe pediades Hygrocybe coccinea
Marasmius rotula
Hygrocybe psittacina
Bovista dermoxantha
Hygrocybe reae Marasmius urens
Bovista plumbea
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca Melanoleuca melaleuca
Calocybe carnea
Lactarius insulsus Melanolueca grarmopodia
Calvatia cyathiformis
Lactarius piperatus
Nolanea staurospora
Camarophyllus pratensis
Lactarius torminosus
Campanella subdendrophora Panaeolina foenisecii
Lepista nuda
Chlorophyllum molybdites Panaeolus campanulatus
Lepista personata
Clarulinopsis corniculata Paxillus involutus
Lepista sordida
Clitocybe infundibuliformis Scleroderma verrucosum
Leucoagaricus naucinus
Clitocybe rivulosa Leucopaxillus giganteus Suillus grevillei
Collybia butryacea Lycoperdon marginatum Trechispora alnicola
Coprinus comatus Lycoperdon perlatum Tricholoma columbetta
Coprinus kubickae Lycoperdon pusillum Tricholoma panoeolum
Cyathus stercoreus Lycoperdon spp.
Tricholoma terreum
Dentinum repandum Macrolepiota procera
Vascellum curtisii
Hebeloma crustuliniforme Marasmius graminum
Vascellum pratense

14. Puffball species are most common on sand-based putting
greens in the United States.

15. Common Fungicides for Fairy Ring Control
• azoxystrobin (Heritage)
• flutolanil (ProStar)
• polyoxin D (Endorse)
• pyraclostrobin (Insignia)

16. Curative Control of Type II Fairy Rings
Prostar (4.5 oz)
Heritage (0.4 oz)
Endorse (4 oz)
Revolution (6 fl oz)
Prostar + Rev
Heritage + Rev
Endorse + Rev
Untreated
0 15 30 45 60 75 90
Fairy Ring Incidence (%)
Treatments applied 22 Jul and 19 Aug
Data collected 2 Sep
Fidanza and Bagwell, F&N Reports, 60:T024

17. Depth is important!
Apply management practices to the infested zone.

18. Depth is important!
Apply management practices to the infested zone.

19. Depth is important!
Apply management practices to the infested zone.

20. DMIs for Fairy Ring Control: Background

21. DMIs for Fairy Ring Control: Background
• fairy ring activity observed during development of
triadimefon

22. DMIs for Fairy Ring Control: Background
• fairy ring activity observed during development of
triadimefon
• superintendents in Gulf Coast states have been using
Bayleton for preventative fairy ring control

23. DMIs for Fairy Ring Control: Background
• fairy ring activity observed during development of
triadimefon
• superintendents in Gulf Coast states have been using
Bayleton for preventative fairy ring control
• Bayleton received 2(ee) label for fairy ring control in 17
states in Feb. 2006

24. Prevention of fairy ring caused by Vascellum
pratense in creeping bentgrass (July 11, 2005)
9.0
Bayleton (2 oz)
Lynx (2 fl oz)
7.5 a
ProStar (2.2 oz)
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
Insignia (0.9 oz)
6.0 No Fungicide
ab
4.5 abc
a-d
3.0
b-e b-e
1.5 cde
e
e e
0
w/ Revolution w/o Revolution
All treatments applied twice in March and April
Treatments were watered in immediately with 0.25” of irrigation
Revolution applied at 6 fl oz/M

25. Untreated Control

26. Insignia + Revolution (0.9 + 6 oz) applied 3/22 and 4/19

27. Bayleton (2 oz) applied 3/22 and 4/19

28. Comparison of Heritage Application Schedules
for Fairy Ring Prevention
9.0
Heritage TL (1 fl oz 14 day)
a
Heritage TL (2 fl oz 28 day)
7.5 Revolution (6 fl oz 28 day)
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
Untreated
6.0 a
abc a-d
4.5 abc
3.0 a-d
1.5 de
de
0
Jul 11 Jul 17
2 fl oz rate of Heritage TL applied on 22 Mar and 19 Apr
1 fl oz rate of Heritage TL applied on 22 Mar, 5 Apr, 19 Apr, and 3 May
Revolution (6 fl oz) tank-mixed with Heritage applications on 22 Mar and 19 Apr
Treatments were watered in immediately with 0.25” of irrigation

29. Heritage TL + Revolution (2 + 6 fl oz, 28 day)

30. Heritage TL (1 fl oz, 14 day) + Revolution (6 fl oz, 28 day)

31. Many questions remain...
• Are all fairy ring species sensitive to the DMIs?
• What is the optimal timing for preventative applications?
• Which application rate and number of applications will
provide season long control?
• Are all of the DMIs effective?

32. Preventative Control of Turfgrass Root Diseases
Application Timing is Based on Soil Temperature
✓ Spring Dead Spot: apply in fall when soil temperatures are
between 60°F and 80°F
✓ Summer Patch: inititate applications in spring when soil
temperatures are above 65°F
✓ Take-all Patch: apply in fall and spring when soil
temperatures are between 40°F and 60°F
✓ Fairy Ring: ??????

33. Rate and Timing of DMIs for Fairy Ring Prevention
Fungicide / Rate Soil temperature at initiation
• Bayleton - 1 oz/1000 ft2 (5-day average)
• Bayleton - 2 oz/1000 ft2 • 50°F
• Lynx - 1 fl oz/1000 ft2 • 55°F
• Lynx - 2 fl oz/1000 ft2 • 60°F
• 65°F
• 70°F
• 75°F
• USGA putting green established in 2004 with ‘A-1’ creeping
bentgrass
• all treatments watered-in immediately with 0.25” of irrigation
• Cascade soil surfactant (8 fl oz/1000 ft2) applied on 3/20, 5/2, and
7/25

34. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
3/23/07
3/29/07
4/4/07
4/10/07
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

35. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

36. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

37. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
C: Mar 28
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

38. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
C: Mar 28
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
D: Mar 30
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

39. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
C: Mar 28
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
D: Mar 30
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
E: May 2
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
5/28/07
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

40. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
C: Mar 28
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
D: Mar 30
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
E: May 2
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
start
5/28/07
Fairy ring
May 29th:
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

41. Average 5-day average soil temperature (ºF)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
3/5/07
3/11/07
3/17/07
C: Mar 28
3/23/07
3/29/07
A: Mar 14
4/4/07
4/10/07
B: Mar 25
D: Mar 30
4/16/07
4/22/07
4/28/07
5/4/07
E: May 2
5/10/07
5/16/07
5/22/07
start
5/28/07
Fairy ring
May 29th:
6/3/07
6/9/07
6/15/07
F: May 30
6/21/07
6/27/07
7/3/07
Five-day Average Soil Temperature, 2007
7/9/07
7/15/07
7/21/07

42. Prevention of fairy ring caused by Vascellum pratense
in ‘A-1’ creeping bentgrass, 2007
9.0
Bayleton (1 oz/M)
Bayleton (2 oz/M)
Lynx (1 fl oz/M)
7.5
Lynx (2 fl oz/M)
Untreated a
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
6.0
a ab b
4.5
b b
3.0 a b
1.5 b b
b b c c
c
0
23-Jun 18-Jul 10-Aug
**Data is averaged across all application timings

43. Prevention of fairy ring caused by Vascellum pratense
in ‘A-1’ creeping bentgrass, 2007
9.0
A: 50 F
B: 55 F
7.5 C: 60 F a
D: 65 F
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
E: 70 F
6.0 F: 75 F
ab
4.5 b b
b
b
a
3.0 a
b
1.5
bc b b
b b
c c c b
0
23-Jun 4-Jul 10-Aug
**Data is averaged across all fungicides and rates

44. Bayleton, D, 2 oz
Lynx, D, 1 fl oz

46. June 22, 2007
Bayleton, D, 1 oz Untreated

47. Fairy ring prevention in creeping bentgrass, 2008
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
a
ab
bc
bcd
cd d cd
d

48. Fairy ring prevention in bermudagrass greens, 2008
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
a
ab
b b
b b b b

49. Refining Fungicide Recommendations
• How do wetting agents
influence performance of
preventative applications?
• Does post-application
irrigation improve
preventative control?
• If so, does irrigation need
to be applied immediately?

50. Refining Fungicide Recommendations
Irrigation
• immediately after • creeping bentgrass
application putting green
• 10 hours after applicaton • split-split-plot,
Fungicide randomized complete
block
• Bayleton (1 oz)
• applied in late March and
• Trinity (0.25 oz)
late April
• None
• fairy ring symptoms
Wetting Agent assessed throughout
• Revolution (6 fl oz) summer
• None

52. Impact of Revolution on Fairy Ring Control
a
Fairy Ring Severity (0 to 9)
ab
b b
b
b

53. Phytotoxicity - Tank-mixing Revolution (6 oz/1000 sq ft), 2008
4
Bayleton 4SC (2 oz/1000 sq ft)
Triton 70WG (0.25 oz/1000 sq ft)
Untreated
3
Phytotoxicity (0-9)
a
2
1 b
bc bc
c c
0
+ Revolution - Revolution
Treatments applied on March 28 & April 25
Data collected on May 27
Bars with same letter are not significantly different according to LSD (∞=0.05).

54. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control

55. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• the most common fairy ring pathogens in sand-based putting
greens are the puffball species Lycoperdon pusilum and Vascellum
pratense

56. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• the most common fairy ring pathogens in sand-based putting
greens are the puffball species Lycoperdon pusilum and Vascellum
pratense
• DMI fungicides provide effective prevention of these fungi

57. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• the most common fairy ring pathogens in sand-based putting
greens are the puffball species Lycoperdon pusilum and Vascellum
pratense
• DMI fungicides provide effective prevention of these fungi
• two applications when soil temperatures are between 55°F and
65°F

58. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• the most common fairy ring pathogens in sand-based putting
greens are the puffball species Lycoperdon pusilum and Vascellum
pratense
• DMI fungicides provide effective prevention of these fungi
• two applications when soil temperatures are between 55°F and
65°F
• some injury noted from DMI applications – use low label rates,
ensure turf is actively growing and risk of hard frost is minimal

59. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control

60. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• tank-mixing with soil surfactant may slightly reduce efficacy of DMI
fungicides and increase the potential for phytotoxicity

61. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• tank-mixing with soil surfactant may slightly reduce efficacy of DMI
fungicides and increase the potential for phytotoxicity
• other fungicides (Heritage, Insignia, ProStar) require tank-mixing
with a soil surfactant and re-application during the season

62. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• tank-mixing with soil surfactant may slightly reduce efficacy of DMI
fungicides and increase the potential for phytotoxicity
• other fungicides (Heritage, Insignia, ProStar) require tank-mixing
with a soil surfactant and re-application during the season
• low rate (1 fl oz) of Heritage TL on 14 day interval more effective
than high rate (2 fl oz) on 28 day interval

63. Conclusions: Preventative Fairy Ring Control
• tank-mixing with soil surfactant may slightly reduce efficacy of DMI
fungicides and increase the potential for phytotoxicity
• other fungicides (Heritage, Insignia, ProStar) require tank-mixing
with a soil surfactant and re-application during the season
• low rate (1 fl oz) of Heritage TL on 14 day interval more effective
than high rate (2 fl oz) on 28 day interval
• all applications should be watered-in within 12 hours after
application for best results

64. Acknowledgements
NC State University Funding
Lee Miller Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America
Mike Soika
Carolinas Golf Course
Lee Butler Superintendents Association
Lake Wheeler Turf Field Bayer Environmental Science
Laboratory