Fall is a good time to focus on moss

Moss is a serious problem on many golf course greens throughout the northern United States.  Moss can withstand mowing heights as low as a 1/16th of an inch and is well adapted to situations where turfgrass plants find it difficult to grow.  Moss is a primitive plant and has evolved very little over the last 350 million years.  Moss does not have roots per se, but structures called rhizoids.  Moss also lacks a cuticle that most plants have, which makes it susceptible to desiccating agents.    

 

Approaches to controlling moss are numerous.  First, moss is known to grow “where other plants cannot”.   One place to start is to check to see if a nutrient deficiency is present.  Moss is often associated with turfgrass soils low in potassium or magnesium.  If this is the case, steps should take to correct the deficiency.  If nutrient levels are adequate, and moss is present, other methods of control need to be implemented.  Cultural practices would include reducing stress to the turf.  Examples would include increasing the height of cut, and minimizing mower wear to the turf.  In addition, surface layering can provide an optimum environment for moss growth. There are numerous remedies for moss control.  However, until you figure out the reason moss is present, it will be an uphill battle to control this plant.

 

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