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Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae in sports turf and amenity grasslands: a review

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Abstract

A review is presented on the occurrence and role of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae in sports turf, especially golf curses, and on the problems arising when these organisms become abundant. The literature depends largely on observations in only a few countries, mainly Canada, New Zealand, U.K. and U.S.A., but problem growths are probably widespread. The genera reported to be conspicuous at times include Nostoc, Phormidium, Coccomyxa, Cosmarium, Cylindrocystis, Klebsormidium, Mesotaenium and Zygogonium. Conspicuous surface growths are probably most often related to unsatisfactory drainage or irrigation practices, but other factors such as fertilizer treatment (especially excess ammonium sulphate) have been implicated. These surface growths sometimes incorporate copious mucilaginous ‘slime’, which can be a serious hazard by causing people to slip. U.K. observations suggest that this is especially likely under acidic conditions, where Coccomyxa, Cylindrocystis and Mesotaenium are among the probable culprits.

Some literature indicates that cyanobacteria are also associated with a subsurface black layer, which can cause serious problems for turf management where sandy soils are subject to unsatisfactory drainage. It seems likely, however, that cyanobacteria are largely, if not entirely, absent from the subsurface layer, but may form a dark layer at the turf surface overlying the position of the subsurface black layer. The dark surface layer is probably due largely to narrow filamentous cyanobacteria, whose growth may enhance the poor drainage and thus reinforce the conditions favouring the black subsurface layer associated with anoxic conditions.

The soil algal vegetation of sports turf may also be expected to exhibit beneficial effects known to occur in soils of other types of community, such as nitrogen fixation by some cyanobacteria and the binding of particles. However, little study on such effects has been directed specifically to sports turf.

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  1. Sports Turf Research Institute, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1AU, UK

    N. A. Baldwin

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    B. A. Whitton

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  1. N. A. Baldwin
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Baldwin, N.A., Whitton, B.A. Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae in sports turf and amenity grasslands: a review. J Appl Phycol 4, 39–47 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003959

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