Snow Moulds

About

Description:   Snow moulds are fungi that grow at low temperatures, often under snow cover, and can damage plants, especially where snow cover persists for 90 days or more.  These have traditionally been controlled on turfgrasses with fungicides containing heavy metal or chlorinated compounds, many of which have been deregistered for safety reasons.    University of Guelph research has identified a biocontrol for snow mould.  Typhula phacorrhiza is a fungus that thrives on organic debris under snow cover.  It acts as a competitor to prevent development of gray and pink snow moulds.  It is registered for use in both Canada and the United States.    Advantages:  •    Suppression of snow mould as good or better than chemical fungicides.  •    Biocontrol that is non-toxigenic to people and animals.  •    Product is already registered