Algae and Moss on Sports Surfaces

There are more than 12,000 species of algae and moss, of which about 50 affect sport surfaces.

Moss is a primitive, non-flowering, non-rooted plant that depends on ambient humidity for its development and reproduction. Most species tolerate acidic conditions.

The most common alga is a cyanobacterium, which obtains its energy through the photosynthesis. It is most prolific in spring.

Both algae and moss growth on greens or other sports surfaces occurs because the coverage of these surfaces has decreased, and if there are compacted and wet areas, the spores of these species are deposited by the air in the less dense areas, which ultimately causes dense crusts on the surface, reducing the passage of air and water to the root zone.

Moss grows mostly in shady and infertile areas, while algae are more frequent in fertile and sunny soils.

Cultural treatment involves preventive measures such as maintaining good fertility and pH, adequate drainage, adequate light supply, use of shade-tolerant varieties, aeration, deep and infrequent watering, etc...

Chemical treatment for algae involves the use of copper sulphate or the fungicide Mancozeb. In the case of moss, the following can be used (also for algae): Hydrated lime, Iron Sulphate, fungicides such as Chlortalonil, herbicides such as Carfentrazone especially for the moss species. Silvery Thread Moss called Bryum Argenteumtypical on greens.