Why the rings of Lord’s can spell doom for greenkeepers

THE circular damage to the Lord’s surface is known as fusarium — or

nivale. Michrodochium

In other words, it is a fungus that attacks turf, particularly fine turf. Many golf and bowling greens include a high proportion of fertiliser, which encourages the fusarium to spread uninterrupted, according to pitchcare.com, the turfcare industry website. This has historically been one of the main concerns for greenkeepers. It starts in the autumn as small orange to red-brown circular spots 1-2cm in diameter. If left unmanaged, the patches increase in size and in the worst cases the entire surface of a golfing green can be affected. When the fungus is particularly active, the patches have a brown ring at the outer edge. If cool, wet conditions persist in the spring, new patches may occur. Spores and fungal mycelia are spread by water, machinery and foot traffic. The website continues: ‘Like most fungi it requires suitable conditions before it starts to germinate or spread and damage other grass plants. ‘Mycelium spread into adjacent plants, or spores are carried on the wind or in moisture.’ An MCC spokesman said: ‘It is a natural phenomenon and is not expected to have any impact on play.’