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Released: June 28, 2001 (This and other short news stories are featured in this week's News Briefs) Slime Molds Attack Landscapes After Heavy Rains MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Attack of the Slime Molds may sound like low-budget science fiction. But it describes what’s going on in many home landscapes now, due to recent heavy rains across much of the central United States. Slime molds can look and act like science fiction, too, said Ned Tisserat, plant pathologist at Kansas State University. "Slime molds are primitive microorganisms that often are spectacular in color and size. Some can actually flow or move across soil or plants," Tisserat explained. Slime molds produce white, purple, orange or brown fungus-like spores in blobs or patches. Some fuse together into rather shapeless amoeba-like structures that can engulf compost, mulch, turfgrass, strawberries and many landscape plants. "Fortunately, they’re relatively harmless to living plants," the plant pathologist added. When mature, the spore masses become powdery and break apart easily when knocked around by rain or foot traffic. The spores survive in soil or organic debris, waiting to germinate during the next spell of warm, wet weather. "With enough moisture, slime molds can become unsightly," he said. "But frequent mowing, raking or brushing of the spore masses usually is enough to keep the problem in check." Tisserat is the horticultural disease specialist for K-State Research and Extension. -30- K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. Story by: Ned Tisserat is at 785-532-1387 |