The Ohio State University

Home SportsNotes Environmental conditions are favorable right now for algae to develop on low density turf. In a turf or terrestrial situation, green or blue-green algae are lower plants that mat together to form a slimy green-black surface that when dry rolls and becomes crusty.

Algae does not directly infect turf, but it can outcompete turf in low density areas and it inhibits important processes, like soil oxygen exchange. From a playability stand-point it can also directly affect footing/traction, because it is so slippery.

Environmental conditions that favour algae starts with poor surface drainage caused by compaction or poor soils. If local weather conditions are warm, cloudy and wet then the problem is aggravated. Mowing a turf species too low and applying too much irrigation can also favor algae outbreaks.

Control Options:

* When the algae dries it cracks, curls and eventually goes away. To speed up the removal process, the dry algae crust could be diluted by verticutting &/or scarifying.

* Applying chemical algaecides does not really address the problem of why algae is there in the first place. The critical factor is to improve surface drainage through soil remediation practices, like core aerification and topdressing.

* Increasing turf density by slit-seeding desirable grasses into thin areas will help the recovery process

Posted by Pam Sherratt & John Street