Where Cool and Wet: Microdochium Patch
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May 18, 2016
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Microdochium patch (pathogen: Microdochium nivale) is active in many areas of the northern United States. The disease also known as pink snow mold where snow cover is present, and as fusarium patch where no snow cover has been present is attacking both short cut turf like annual bluegrass and higher cut Kentucky bluegrass turf. Microdochium patch is active under cool wet conditions. Temperatures in the range of 32 to 45 F. are ideal for this pathogen to infect along with prolonged periods of wetness or snow cover.
Microdochium patches initially appear as small patches that commonly increase in size reaching 12-inches in diameter. Leaves become water soaked, turn reddish-brown, then bleach. Pink mycelia may be visible in early morning. In cool wet weather, the leaves are matted together, which is especially true on high cut turf, and covered with a whitish pink mycelial growth that is slimy when wet. The circular patches may exhibit a pink coloration when exposed to light.
Although snow cover has been absent for quite awhile, conditions remain favorable for Microdochium patch in parts of the Midwest and northern United States. Microdochium patch may appear as a streaking pattern along drainage lines.