Oscillatoria: Scum of the Earth

The conventional view of Oscillatoria (algae or cyanobacteria), one of the organisms present in the scum that sometimes forms on the surface of golf course greens, is that it is a secondary problem on turf—a by-product of poor cultural practices (improper irrigation, poor drainage, low mowing heights, compaction) and/or too much shade. However, based on recent work conducted at PACE, we have come to view Oscillatoria in a very different light—as a primary plant pest that is the direct cause…