Milky white to gray, almost translucent, slimy, irregular shaped mass, up to 12 inches in diameter covering turf; turns ash-gray to purplish; fungal fruiting bodies of pinhead size, various colors-orange, reddish-brown, gray, black; growth is easily rubbed off on shoes and clothing

HOST GRASSES:

All turfgrass species are susceptible

DISEASE CYCLE:

Little to no damage to turf-some shading; germinating spores become amoeba like and feed on other fungi and bacteria; the causal organisms are surface saprophytes (epiphytes) that use leaf surfaces merely to support their reproductive structures; it may reoccur in the same locations; spread by spores via wind; live in the soil and feed on microorganisms and decaying organic matter; slime molds grow up on grass leaves and stems to reproduce because their spores travel further when released from an elevated surface; it can produce a bloom of millions of spores in various colors in a few days

FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE DISEASE DEVELOPMENT:

Wet, humid, cloudy, rainy weather, with warm temperatures of 70 to 90 degrees; excessive thatch; poor surface and soil drainage; appear on very healthy stands of turf

CULTURAL CONTROL:

Control thatch; provide good drainage; aerification; brush mold off grass; follow by washing with strong spray of water; mowing works well too; dryer weather helps-slime molds disappear when leaves turn dry

CHEMICAL CONTROL:

No fungicide treatment necessary; if you are going to use fungicides, listed below are some recommendations.

REFERENCES:

Duble, R. L. 2001. Turfgrasses-Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone. Second Edition. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.

Emmons, R. D. 2000. Turfgrass Science and Management. Third Edition. Delmar Thomson Learning. Albany, New York.

Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Turfgrass Management. Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Beard, J. B. 2002. Turfgrass Management for Golf Courses. Second Edition. Ann Harbor Press. Chelsea, Michigan.

Taylor, G. R. - Editor. 2000. Turfgrass Pesticide Recommendations 1999-2000. Extension Publication SCS-1991-01. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.

Decker, H. F., Decker, J. M. 1988. Lawn Care-A Handbook for Professionals. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Plant Pathology (http://plantclinic.tamu.edu)

Purdue (http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/pubs/latin.htm)

North Carolina State University (http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/articles/tf0033.aspx)