All About Moss

Silvery thread moss can be a common problem on putting greens of all grass species types and construction methods. Dealing with moss can be very frustrating for turf managers due to the fact that once it has established itself it can be very difficult to control. Moss is a perennial weed that can tolerate most weather and environmental conditions and most often is most active during the times that the desirable turf you are maintaining is least active. Silvery thread moss commonly spreads throughout golf courses from the moss structures being detached and physically moved from one site to the next (mowers, golfers, etc). Once these plant structures find their new home, they can very quickly establish themselves if conditions are favorable.

Most maintenance practices that take place on a golf green can either hinder or enable the spread and establishment of moss. Moss generally will be more common on greens that are watered light and frequently resulting in upper surfaces that are more wet compared to surfaces that are allowed to dry down. As the height of cut on greens decreases it has also been shown that moss establishment and severity will increase at lower heights. Nitrogen fertilizer sources have also been shown to have an effect on moss populations. Soluble and ammonium sulphate based applications of fertilizer have shown to help promote moss compared to other nitrogen forms. Frequent, light topdressing has shown to aid in reducing the amount of moss present. The belief here is that the introduction of sand helps to keep the growing medium less tightly bound with heavier materials which will result in greater water and air movement. 

Aeration and verticutting are generally believed to be helpful when it comes to Silvery Thread Moss control. Although these actions can certainly help in spreading moss across the property it is still accepted that the benefits of these practices will still be greater in helping prevent moss. Aeration and verticutting help to breakup and create open areas in the tight matted layer of moss that create an opportunity for your desirable grass species to then enter. The act of these practices will help with water and air movement at the surface which will be beneficial as the turf will thrive in these conditions where the moss will prefer a tight soil surface that holds moisture. Aeration and verticutting will also aid in turf density which is very important as the less gaps there are within the turf; the less likely moss can establish. 

When moss infestation become so severe though the most necessary and effective method of control will be done through the use of herbicides such as QuickSilver. Initial application of herbicides on moss is best done a week after an aeration or verticutting event when the moss has been disturbed and actively growing. Generally, applications of the herbicide every two weeks after initial application have proven most effective. You do need to ensure that the moss is becoming active again though prior to your next application to ensure herbicide uptake. Moss will turn a dark shade (mostly black) after herbicide application. Around two weeks after application the moss should begin to lose that colour and turn a brown/green. When this colour change is occurring, we know the moss is active once again and it is time to re-apply. The use of a non-ionic surfactant added to the herbicide during application has shown to improve application with a more active uptake and spread of the herbicide within the moss resulting in greater efficacy of applications. Under severe infestation numerous applications may be required but the best control will always be done by combining herbicide applications with good turf management practices (water and fertility management, cultural practices, etc) to promote as healthy of a stand of turf as possible while eliminating stress. 

In Canada we have a product available called Tank pHix Plus that can be used as our tank mix companion partner to QuickSilver, which is also available from us at Target Specialty Products. This is our all-in-one adjuvant product. This product aids spray applications with buffering/acidifying the spray tank water, drift control, enhancing compatibility of products in your spray solution and reducing the risk of alkaline hydrolysis.  

 Turf Fuel is committed to developing products that are not like any other on the market and finding solutions to the problems that have been plaguing turf managers for years. They are committed to always improving the already great products they currently have. Turf Fuel has solutions available from the most simple aspects of nitrogen nutrition to the much more complicated solutions that you have been looking for such as stress management.