Is there a biological control of grey snow mould?
Hsiang and Liu Dept. of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario (5th yr of 7yr study) Grey snow mould is a common disease of turfgrasses in areas where there are over 90 days of continuous snow cover during the winter. The disease is caused primarily by two fungi in the Typhula genus and is commonly controlled by synthetic fungicides on many golf courses in Canada. Although excellent control of this disease can be achieved with fungicides, societal concerns of the environmental effects of synthetic pesticides compel us to investigate alternative management approaches. Dr. Tom Hsiang is working with a fungus that has shown to have antagonistic abilities against the fungi causing the grey snow mould disease. Dr. Hsiang has been able to isolate a few very effective strains of this fungus that can suppress grey snow mould as well as a fungicide. Tests to ensure that this biological control for grey snow mould is not toxic to plants, animals and humans are currently being condu
