Characterization of Soil Properties Associated with Type-I Fairy Ring Symptoms in Turfgrass

Biologia, Bratislava, 62/5: 533—536, 2007 Section Botany DOI: 10.2478/s11756-007-0105-5

Characterization of soil properties associated with type-I fairy ring symptoms in turfgrass

Michael A. Fidanza

Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, 2080 Tulpehocken Road, Reading, PA, 19335,USA;e-mail:[email protected]

Abstract: Fairy ring is a frequently reported disease of turfgrasses worldwide, and necrotic or severely injured grass are observed in those turf sites exhibiting type-I fairy ring symptoms. The objective of this research was to characterize soil chemical and physical properties at two soil sampling depths (0.5 cm and 3.0 cm) at a turfgrass site exhibiting type-I fairy ring symptoms. Soil samples were obtained from a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) golf course fairway at one sampling date in the summer when environmental conditions were most conducive to the appearance of severe type-I fairy ring symptoms. At both soil depths, soil analysis indicated that concentrations of ammonium-nitrogen, potassium, and sulfur were statistically higher in soil underlying necrotic or bare zones versus soil in healthy turfgrass zones. At both soil depths, soil electrical conductivity was statistically higher, and volumetric soil water content was statistically lower in necrotic zones versus soil under healthy turfgrass. At both soil depths, total nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter content were not statistically diﬀerent among necrotic and healthy turfgrass zones. Soil pH was statistically higher in the necrotic zone versus soil under healthy turfgrass at only the 3.0 cm soil sampling depth. Comparing soil properties within the necrotic zone, only potassium and electrical conductivity was statistically higher at the 0.5 cm depth compared to the 3.0 cm depth. Although most soil information was considered very similar at both sampling depths, soil sampling at the 3.0 cm depth would be a more practical or easier method for turfgrass managers. At either soil sampling depth, the necrotic zones of type-I fairy ring areas in turfgrass were most likely associated with a combination of direct and indirect eﬀects of the basidiomycete fungi on soil chemical and physical properties in the turfgrass root zone. Key words: Agaricus campestris; Festuca arundinacea; Poa pratensis; ammonium-nitrogen; hydrophobicity; soil water repellency; turf

Introduction jected to intense maintenance practices (Fidanza 2007; Fidanza et al. 2002, 2005). For example, type-II symp- Fairy ring symptoms have become a common and toms can literally appear overnight on golf course greens persistent problem in turfgrasses maintained on golf during a hot and dry summer stress period (Fidanza courses (Fidanza 1999, 2007). The actual fairy ring 2007). Those dark bands of turfgrass, however, quickly symptoms are described as “types” from their visual wilt and become necrotic. Daily hand-watering with a effects in turf (Couch 1995; Shantz & Piemeisal 1917; soil surfactant is required to keep those wilted type-II Smiley et al. 2005; Smith et al. 1989). Type-I symp- rings from progressing into type-I rings (Fidanza 2007). toms include wilted, necrotic, or dead turf appearing in The organisms that cause fairy ring symptoms in rings or arcs. Water repellent or hydrophobic conditions turf are classified as the basidiomycete or “mushroom” in the thatch and/or soil root zone are often observed fungi (Agrios 1997; Couch 1995). In turf, these fungi within the necrotic zone of turf inhibiting type-I symp- can actively grow and colonize the thatch and soil be- toms (Fidanza et al. 2002; Fidanza 2007). Circles or low the surface (Couch 1995; Smith et al. 1989). As arcs of dark green and actively growing or stimulated the fungus breaks-down and decomposes organic mat- turf describe symptoms of type-II fairy ring. The ap- ter, the fungal mycelium and various hydrophobic sub- pearance of mushrooms in turf is classified as type-III stances coat sand and soil particles, which contribute symptoms. to soil water repellency within the root zone (Fidanza Although any of these symptoms can occur at any 2007; Hallett et al. 2001; Hallet et al. 2006; Lichner time during the year, those severe type-I symptoms are et al. 2007; Ma’shum et al. 1998; Rilling 2005; Roy & more frequently observed during hot, dry, drought-like McGill 2003; Schlossberg et al. 2005). Loss of turf or weather (Couch 1995; Fidanza 2007; Smith et al. 1989). thinning of stand density is attributed to a depletion of These symptoms are easier to observe in turf that is plant available water in the root zone, the inhibition of nutrient deficient or under-fertilized, and in turf sub- nitrogen and other plant nutrients, and the accumula-

* Presented at the International Conference on Biohydrology, Prague, Czech Republic, 20–22 September 2006.

c 2007 Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences 534 M. A. Fidanza tion of ammonium to levels possibly toxic to plant roots All soils data were subjected to analysis of variance (Gelernter & Stowell 2001; Smith et al. 1989). (SAS Institute, 1997), with soils data from each of the three Anecdotal information on the effects of type-I fairy type-I fairy ring sites representing three replications. All ring symptoms in turf on soil properties is available data means were compared with preplanned orthogonal con- (Molliard 1910, Shantz & Piemeisel 1917; Wollaston trasts from Fisher’s protected least significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05 (Mead et al. 2003). 1807). A limited amount of recent soils data obtained from type-I fairy ring-affected turf is available (Fidanza 2007), however, soil samples in that investigation were Results and discussion collected at the top 3.0 cm depth. Detrimental effects on soil properties from fairy ring may be more pronounced Soil chemical and physical analysis results were summa- at a shallower soil depth, especially during the peak rized and means compared for each soil sampling depth summer months when the majority of turf roots are lo- by contrasts for inside versus necrotic zones and also cated closer to the soil surface (Smiley et al. 2005; Smith outside versus necrotic zones (Table 1). At each soil et al. 1989). To overcome this lack of data, the objective sampling depth, NH4, K, and S, and EC were statis- of this investigation was to measure and quantify soil tically higher in the necrotic zone versus the inside or chemical and physical properties of type-I fairy ring- outside zones. Also at each soil sampling depth, volu- affected turf at two sampling depths (i.e., the upper metric soil water content was statistically lower in the 0.5 cm and top 3.0 cm of the soil root zone below the necrotic zone versus inside or outside zones. Soil pH was thatch layer) to determine which soil sampling depth statistically higher in the necrotic zones versus inside or would provide the most useful information to turfgrass outside zones at only the 3 cm soil sampling depth. The practitioners. properties of N, Mg, Ca, CEC, and OM were statistically similar at both soil sampling depths when comparing inside or outside zones versus necrotic zones. When Material and methods comparing soil characteristics in the necrotic zone at both soil sampling depths, soil within the 0.5 cm depth Type-I fairy ring symptoms were observed in turfgrass on measured statistically higher K and EC values versus many golf course greens and fairways in the Northeast USA soil within the 3 cm depth. All other soil properties during periods of heat and drought stress and low precip- itation of July through September 2005. On 24 July 2005, in the necrotic zones at the 0.5 cm versus 3 cm depth a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) fairway (Merion were not statistically different. Although no apparent Golf Course, Ardmore, PA, USA) exhibiting severe type- advantage was observed with measuring soil character- I fairy ring symptoms was chosen for this investigation. istics at the 0.5 cm or 3 cm depth, turfgrass practition- Soil texture was determined to be sandy loam, according ers would most likely prefer to collect soil samples at to the USDA classification system (Brady & Weil 1996). the deeper soil depth to adequately reflect soil fertil- Three necrotic ring sites were selected on one fairway and ity conditions in the turfgrass root zone (Carrow et al. all within a 0.5 hectare area, and the average ring diameter 2001). measured 2.82 m. Several basidiocarps were observed along The reduction of volumetric soil water content in the outer edges the necrotic rings and identified as Agaricus campestris L. :F (Arora 1986). Therefore, the type-I fairy the necrotic zones, and the occurrence of soil water re- ring symptoms were attributed to Agaricus campestris,also pellency (Fidanza 2007), can inhibit the growth and called the “common meadow mushroom”. activity of soil microorganisms and therefore result in A 1.9 cm diameter soil sampler was used to remove soil an accumulation of NH4 and S in those necrotic zones cores to a depth of 0 to 0.5 cm and also 0 to 3.0 cm from the (Brady & Weil 1996; Fidanza 2007; Smith et al. 1989). three zones (i.e., inside, necrotic, and outside zones) at each For example, nitrification in the soil is the process type-I fairy ring site (i.e., three different rings within the of ammonium ions oxidized by autotrophic bacteria same fairway). The “inside zone” was an area of healthy (i.e., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) to form nitrate, turfgrass, the “necrotic zone” was the affected section or which is the preferred form of nitrogen absorbed by tur- ring or arc of necrotic or dead turfgrass, and the “outside fgrass roots (Carrow et al. 2001). The accumulation of zone” was also an unaffected turfgrass area. Twelve soil samples were extracted from each outside, necrotic, and inside NH4 in soil in those necrotic zones could be associated zones at each type-I fairy ring site. Soil chemical and phys- with this decline of nitrification due to low soil micro- ical properties measured from those soil samples included bial activity, as well as NH4 release and further min- pH, total nitrogen (N), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4), phos- eralization of soil nutrients from mycelium growth and phorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), activity due to the saprophytic nature of these basid- sulfur (S), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic mat- iomycete fungi in soil (Agrios 1997; Fidanza 2007). Ex- ter content (OM), and electrical conductivity (EC). All soil cess ammonium is toxic to Nitrobacter sp. which rapidly samples were analyzed at the Agricultural Analytical Ser- converts nitrite to nitrate, and only a few mg kg−1 ni- vices Laboratory, University Park, PA, USA. Information trite accumulated in soil can be extremely toxic to most on specific laboratory methods is available on the laboratory website (http://www.aasl.psu.edu/). To determine soil plant roots (Brady & Weil 1996). Excessive NH4 can be moisture status, volumetric soil water content was measured toxic to turfgrass roots and contribute to a decline in with a WET-1 Sensor (Dynamax Inc., Houston, TX, USA) turfgrass quality and function (Carrow et al. 2001), and −1 at six locations at the 0.5 cm and 3.0 cm depth in each zone > 7mgkg NH4 has been associated with poor quality at each type-I fairy ring site. turfgrasses (Gelernter & Stowell 2001). Also, excessive Characterization of soil properties 535

Table 1. Soil properties characterized from a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) site exhibiting type-I fairy ring symptoms. (a) Soil sampling depth: 0 to 0.5 cm

Soil parametersa Siteb pHNNH4 P K Mg Ca S CEC O.M. E.C. H2O (%) (mg kg−1) (meq 100g−1)(%)(dSm−1)(%)

Inside 5.9 0.72 14 117 146 257 1622 21 15.9 10.9 0.14 13.5 Necrotic 6.1 0.74 469 154 305 291 1635 64 14.9 10.2 0.54 5.9 Outside 5.8 0.68 11 124 129 270 1612 32 15.1 9.7 0.17 14.7

Contrasts:c

I vs. N ns ns *** ns *** ns ns ** ns ns *** *** O vs. N ns ns *** ns *** ns ns * ns ns *** ***

(b) Soil sampling depth: 0 to 3.0 cm

Soil parametersa Siteb pHNNH4 P K Mg Ca S CEC O.M. E.C. H2O (%) (mg kg−1) (meq 100g−1)(%)(dSm−1)(%)

Inside 5.8 0.75 8 107 192 248 1607 27 15.5 11.4 0.08 17.3 Necrotic 6.3 0.71 441 140 255 278 1654 51 14.2 9.9 0.18 8.6 Outside 6.0 0.63 9 115 168 250 1630 24 14.7 9.2 0.07 15.0

Contrasts:c

I vs. N * ns *** ns ** ns ns * ns ns ** ** O vs. N * ns *** ns *** ns ns * ns ns ** **

Soil parametersa

pHNNH4 P K Mg Ca S CEC O.M. E.C. H2O (%) (mg kg−1) (meq 100g−1)(%)(dSm−1)(%)

0.5 cm vs. 3.0 cm ns ns ns ns * ns ns ns ns ns * ns a All soil properties determined from 0.5 cm or 3.0 cm soil depth, where pH = soil pH, N = total nitrogen, NH4 = ammonium-nitrogen, P = phosphorus, K = potassium, Mg = magnesium, Ca = calcium, S = sulfur, CEC = cation exchange capacity, O.M. = organic matter, E.C. = electrical conductivity, and H20 = volumetric soil water content. bInside (I) = healthy turfgrass zone inside a type-I fairy ring affected site, necrotic (N) = affected turfgrass zone exhibiting type-I fairy ring symptoms, and outside (O) = healthy turfgrass zone outside a type-I fairy ring affected site. cMean of soil properties from three type-I fairy ring sampling sites were compared by preplanned orthogonal contrasts using Fisher’s protected least significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05, where *, **, and *** refers to P ≤ 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001; respectively, and ns = not significant.

NH4 in soil may contribute to poor seed germination this investigation, the development and appearance of and emergence in those necrotic zones when golf course the necrotic zone was attributed to the mycelium of superintendents attempt to re-seed and recover those the basidiomycete fungi (i.e., Agaricus campestris)col- affected areas (Fidanza 1999; Fidanza et al. 2002). The onizing thatch and soil and directly or indirectly con- accumulation of S in soil within those necrotic zones tributing to the depletion in soil moisture content. This is also related to low soil microbial activity (Brady & effect may have contributed to a decrease in soil micro- Weil 1996). The excessive accumulation of K within the bial activity and an increase in the fungal saprophytic necrotic zones most likely contributred to the higher EC activity, which in-turn may have contributed to exces- measurements in those necrotic zones compared to in- sive accumulation of NH4 and other potentially harm- side or outside zones (Carrow et al. 2001; Carrow & ful soil chemical and physical attributes (i.e., soil water Duncan 1998). repellency) resulting in dead turfgrass (Fidanza 2007). The results from this replicated field investigation Further research is needed on the complex temporal further clarify previous findings from anecdotal obser- relationship of soil chemical and physical properties as- vations on the effects of fairy ring on soil (Bayliss 1911; sociated with type-I fairy ring symptoms in turfgrass, Bayliss-Elliott 1926; Molliard 1910; Wollaston 1807). In and the use of fungicides, soil surfactants, and other 536 M. A. 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