Snow mould prevalence on perennial ryegrass (Lolim perenne L.) in relation to the light conditions and intensity of turf maintenance

Abstract

Effect of shade, nutrition, height of mowing and density of turf on snow mould (Microdochium nivale) prevalence on Lolium perenne under turf maintenance were studied in 2000-2004 at Radzików (central Poland). The materials for studies were cultivars of L. perenne originated from Poland and abroad. The turf experiments were performed in three series of trials where each factor were analysed independently. The cultivars were assessed for: density of turf, the first symptom of disease and snow mould injury in spring. The investigations revealed that shade as well as high nutrition applied in autumn and high mowing of grass influenced significantly snow mould prevalence on L. perenne. The cultivars expressed a wide range of susceptibility to snow mould. The cultivars with high density of turf were the most injured by snow mould. Disease occurred at different periods of autumn and winter, usually before snow fall. Winter weather conditions had a slight effect on changes in snow mould injury of L. perenne in subsequent years.

Keywords

• cultivars
• height of mowing
• Lolium perenne
• Microdochium nivale
• nutrition
• shade
• turfgrass
• turf density