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Isolates of the biocontrol fungus Typhula phacorrhiza were evaluated in field tests over a 5-year period for suppression of grey snow mold caused by Typhula incarnata and Typhula ishikariensis. Of the hundreds of T. phacorrhiza isolates collected from across southern Ontario in the spring of 1994, 42 were cultured on mixed grains and applied in the late fall to creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) at a rate of 200 g/m2 (4 x 105 cfu/m2) along with inocula of T. incarnata or T. ishikariensis at 10 g/m2 (2 x 104 cfu/m2). In late fall of each year from 1995 to 1998, T. incarnata and T. ishikariensis were reapplied to the same plots, but not T. phacorrhiza. Plots were rated for disease after snowmelt in each year from 1995 to 1999. During the first three years, high positive correlations of winter injury were found between the suppression trials, with several isolates showing significant control of grey snow mold. By the fourth year after inoculation, suppression of snow mold in plots treated with the most ...

Two snow mold pathogens, LTB (low temperature basidiomycete) and Plenodomus meliloti (PM), were applied to alfalfa overwintering under varying levels of snow cover. Conditions during the two year experiment did not appear to be conducive for P. meliloti development as there were no differences in percent survival or forage yield between PM-inoculated and noninoculated plots. Deep snow appeared to be most conducive to LTB infection. However, optimal soil temperatures (-5 to +1 degree C) during Marc at 5 cm depth under intermediate and shallow snow cover also encouraged pathogenesis and resulted in 74% yield losses under intermediate and 46% under shallow snow cover.

(1994). Progress towards understanding interactions between cold hardiness and snow mold resistance and development of resistant cultivars. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 241-246.

The ability of Coprinus psychromorbidus (LTB) to continue infecting winter wheat in the field was studied under continuous cropping. This snow mold pathogen was found to survive for at least 2 years in the soil in the absence of winter wheat. The planting of spring wheat or canola did not affect the survival of the pathogen. The implications for winter wheat growers are discussed.

(1982). Sclerotial strains of Coprinus psychromorbidus, a snow mold basidiomycete. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 27-36.

(1980). Conspecificity of an unidentified snow mold basidiomycete and a Coprinus species in the section Herbicolae. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 105-115.

(1989). Effect of cottony snow mold and low temperatures on winter wheat survival in central and northern Alberta. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 291-296.