FAIRY RINGS, MUSHROOMS, AND PUFFBALLS

1 For further information on Turfgrass Diseases contact Nancy R. Pataky, Director ofthe Plant Clinic and Turf and Ornamental Specialist, Department of Crop Sciences,University of Illinois, Illinois Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employmentreport onPLANTDISEASEDEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCESUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGNF igure 1. Mushrooms in a FAIRY No. 403 November 1998 FAIRY RINGS, MUSHROOMS, AND PUFFBALLSS ymptomsFairy rings can appear in any turfgrasses during thespring and early summer as circles, arcs, or ribbons ofdarker green, fast growing grass. A concentric ring ofthin, dormant, or dead grass may sometimes developboth inside and outside this circle.

2 Occasionally, asecond zone of stimulated grass occurs inside the zoneof dead grass (Figure 2). During dry weather,especially in the late summer and fall, the outer ringof lush grass may be missing. FAIRY rings vary froma few inches to 50 feet or more in diameter, but mostare 2 to 15 feet across. In mild weather, after rains orheavy sprinkling, large numbers of mushrooms orpuffballs (the fruiting bodies of the FAIRY ring fungi)may suddenly pop up in the outer circle of lush grass (Figure 1). Commonly, several distinct rings or arcsdevelop in the same general area. Where the rings meet, fungus activity ceases, and the rings take on ascalloped effect (Figure 3).

3 Generally, FAIRY rings are first seen as a cluster of mushrooms or as a tuft of stimulated turf. The ringsmay grow outwardly for years or be disrupted when intercepted by a driveway, building foundation, orflower bed. Some rings disappear unexpectedly for a year or more and then reappear, usually a foot ormore, larger in disease is caused by any one of about 50 soil-inhabiting fungi (mushrooms [toadstools] and puff-balls), the most common being the small, tan FAIRY ring fungus, Marasmius oreades. Agaricus(Psalliota) campestris or A. bisporus, the cultivated mushroom, will also cause FAIRY rings. Both of thesefungi are nonpoisonous, however, do not eat any mushrooms growing in turf areas without first havingthem identified by a competent authority.

4 The immature stages of Agaricus are indistinguishable fromthe large, white, poisonous Chlorophyllum molybdites (Leptiota morgani); see Figure 4. Only atmaturity can these two mushrooms be identified accurately. Even when identified as edible, a mushroom- 2 -Figure 2. Top view and cross section of FAIRY ring withrings of stimulated grass with mushrooms, weak ordead grass, mycelium of FAIRY ring fungus in soil, andcentral area invaded by weeds. Drawing: Lenore GrayFigure 3. Antagonism between FAIRY ring fungi. Notliving grass where rings not be entirely safe. Some individuals may haveallergic reactions, while others can become ill if wine orother alcoholic drinks are also consumed.

5 Since childrenare the largest group of fatalities associated withmushroom poisoning, it is best to dispose of themushrooms as they CycleNutrients for these fungi come from the breakdown oforganic matter. Infection often begins where large rootsor lumber are buried in the soil. Growth usually startswith a germinating fungal spore or with pieces ofmycelium at a central point and continues radially in alldirections. Each year the rings may enlarge from 5inches to 2 feet or more. The fungus grows throughoutthe soil, sometimes to a depth of 8 inches or more. Ifyou dig deeply into the ring area with a trowel or spade,you will find a dense, white, threadlike network ofmycelium (mushroom spawn) that has a strong lush, dark green grass of the FAIRY ring is due to theincreased amount of nitrogen made available to the grassroots by the fungus as it breaks down organic matter inthe thatch and soil.

6 The ring of brown, dormant or deadgrass is caused by the dense, subsurface layer ofmushroom spawn that impedes water movement into thesoil, depletes nutrients essential for plant growth, and may produce toxic levels of ammonia or hydrogencyanide, as is suspected of M. oreades. The grass in this area can become so weakened that it succumbsto environmental stresses or the grass roots are killed by the fungus as other disease organisms. Invasionby weeds soon follows. As the fungus grows outward radially, the older spawn in the interior of the ringdies, releasing nitrogen and other nutrients for use by the grass plants, initiating the possible formationof the inner green ring of stimulated grass (Figures 2 and 3).

7 If this lush growth persists into the autumn,the chances of Microdochium nivale (pink snow mold) infection increase. FAIRY rings are usually mostsevere in light-textured, low-fertility soils that are low in moisture. The rings are more common anddamaging on lightly watered and fertilized golf fairwaysand lawns than on well-irrigated and fertilized golfgreens, tees, and lawns. Turf with a thick thatch andgrowing in a sandy soil is very vulnerable to damage,especially in drier regions. ControlControlling FAIRY rings is not easy because the soilbecomes almost impervious to water. Before planting anew turf area, remove tree stumps and large roots, con-struction lumber, and other large pieces of organic matterfrom which these fungi obtain nutrients.

8 Keep the new- 3 -planting well fertilized, and watered to a depth of 6 inches or more. Shallow watering encourages thegermination of many FAIRY ring fungi. In established turf area, FAIRY rings can be effectively controlledby three laborious and time-consuming methods: suppression, eradication, and To suppress ring formation, water the turf thoroughly and fertilize well to enhancethe growth of grass within and around rings to a level close to that of the lush ring of symptoms are easily disguised by pumping large quantities of water into the soil, 10 to 24inches deep, at one-foot intervals, for a distance of 18 to 24 inches on either side of thestimulated zone of dark green grass.

9 Maintain the soil in a near water-soaked condition for 4to 6 weeks by watering every 2 to 3 days. Use a tree-feeding lance or root-feeder attachmenton a garden hose. Repeat the treatment, several months to a year or more later, when the ringsbegin to wilt. (This is the easiest and cheapest method of suppression). there are fewer rings and they are much less conspicuous on adequately watered andfertilized turf, apply nitrogen fertilizer to the turf several times during the year. Follow localrecommendations based on a soil test and the cultivar or blend of grass being grown. Avoidexcessive applications of nitrogen and organic matter ) manure or mulches ) as they tend tostimulate the development of FAIRY rings and encourage other turf diseases.

10 Core cultivationand use of wetting agents (surfactants) helps water to move more deeply in infested FAIRY rings can be eradicated by soil fumigation or excavation. Drenching with afungicide has met with only moderate Carefully strip and dispose of the sod in an area 2 feet inside and 2 feet outsidethe outer green ring of grass. Be careful not to spill any of the infested soil or sod on thehealthy turf. A better but more expensive method is to apply glyphosate (Roundup, Kleenup)to the area. This will kill the grass in about a week with little or no chemical residue remainingto affect the new planting, however, you will still have to dispose of the dead turf after usingglyphosate because it may still contain living mycelium of the FAIRY ring fungus.