Pest Spotlight >>>
By Dave Han, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Auburn University & Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Jim Jacobi, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2018
“I
have an algae problem.” This seems like a simple statement, but it really is just the tip of an iceberg. When algae, or any number of other related organisms, begin to take over turfgrass, it’s not really just an algae problem — there is usually some other issue with the turf that is allowing them to outcompete the grass. In this article, we will look at what makes these critters out-compete turfgrass and how to combat them and re-
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turn the grass to a dominant position. Algae is often mentioned in the same breath with moss, for good reasons. Even though moss is a plant and algae is, well, algae, they share characteristics that make them grow best in the same environments. Both moss and algae are photosynthetic, so they need at least some sunlight (although many mosses in particular are more shade tolerant than grasses – more on this in a bit). Both lack a root system, so they need
abundant moisture at the soil surface. What it boils down to is this: any time the turfgrass canopy thins out and there is moisture available at the soil surface, either algae or moss (or both) will be favored. In open, sunny, but well-watered locations (for example, a putting green), algae is more likely to take over. Shady areas, especially if the soil is acidic, favor moss. In all cases, though, when you have an algae or moss problem, you really