Lb. Nadeau et al., POTENTIAL OF AN ORGANOSILICONE SURFACTANT TO IMPROVE SOIL WETTABILITYAND AMELIORATE FAIRY RING SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY MARASMIUS-OREADES, Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 73(4), 1993, pp. 1189-1197
Currently, chemical control of fairy ring caused by Marasmius oreades
is not feasible, in part because colonized soil is very repellent to p
esticidal solutions. Fungicidal control, however, might be successful
if a surfactant was used to increase soil wettability. Of 13 surfactan
ts screened for ability to enhance solution uptake by infested soil co
res, the organosilicone, Silwet L-77, was most effective, followed by
Citowett Plus and Agsurf. In a second, similar experiment, Silwet L-77
was more effective than the other two surfactants in increasing water
uptake by both infested and uninfested soil cores. Silwet L-77 concen
trations of 0.98-3% were equally effective in increasing grass product
ion, relative to the water control, on colonized and uncolonized turf,
under greenhouse conditions. At concentrations of 2 % or higher, but
not at concentrations of 0.016% to 1.0%, Silwet L-77, Citowett Plus, a
nd Agsurf prevented M. oreades growth in liquid culture. Silwet L-77,
and perhaps other organosilicone surfactants, seemingly have considera
ble potential for the management of fairy ring by improving uptake of
water, or as carriers of biological or chemical control agents.