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Mushrooms often sprout from soil in rows or cirlces that are commonly called fairly rings. How would you explain this formation?

2006-11-19 14:19:25 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics Biology

6 answers

Initially a spore (the fungal equivalent of a seed) lands on some suitable ground. It starts to grow underground, pushing out mycelium (fungal threads) in all directions. As the mass of mycelium grows the central part dies off, leaving a disc of mycelium growing at the outer edge. Eventually, when season and weather allow, mushrooms are produced above the mycelium and release spores. Sometimes, several years may go by before mushrooms are seen at a fairy ring. The underground presence of the fungus sometimes causes withering or varying colour or growth of the grass above.

2006-11-19 14:22:21 · answer #1 · answered by DanE 7 · 0 0

"Initially a spore (the fungal equivalent of a seed) lands on some suitable ground. It starts to grow underground, pushing out mycelium (fungal threads) in all directions. As the mass of mycelium grows the central part dies off, leaving a disc of mycelium growing at the outer edge. Eventually, when season and weather allow, mushrooms are produced above the mycelium and release spores. Sometimes, several years may go by before mushrooms are seen at a fairy ring. The underground presence of the fungus sometimes causes withering or varying colour or growth of the grass above."

So basically, a mycelium starts growing outwards from a central point. The inner-most mycelium eventually dies, but the outer radius of the mycelium keeps growing, and sends hyphae up to the surface to form mushrooms, in a circular shape.

2006-11-19 14:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by nazzyonenine 3 · 0 0

Fairy rings can appear in any turf-grasses during the spring and early summer as circles, arcs, or ribbons of darker green, fast growing grass. A ring of thin, dormant, or dead grass may sometimes develop both inside and outside this circle. Occasionally, a second zone of stimulated grass occurs inside the zone of dead grass. During dry weather, especially in the late summer and fall, the outer ring of lush grass may be missing. Fairy rings vary from a few inches to 50 feet or more in diameter, but most are 2 to 15 feet across. In mild weather, after rains or heavy sprinkling, large numbers of mushrooms or puffballs (the fruiting bodies of the fairy ring fungi) may suddenly pop up in the outer circle of lush grass. Commonly, several distinct rings or arcs develop in the same general area. Where the rings meet, fungus activity ceases, and the rings take on a scalloped effect.

Generally, fairy rings are first seen as a cluster of mushrooms or as a tuft of stimulated turf. The rings may grow outwardly for years or be disrupted when intercepted by a driveway, building foundation, or flower bed. Some rings disappear unexpectedly for a year or more and then reappear, usually a foot or more, larger in diameter.


Cause
The disease is caused by any one of about 50 soil-inhabiting fungi (mushrooms [toadstools] and puffballs), the most common being the small, tan fairy ring fungus, Marasmius oreades. Agaricus (Psalliota) campestris or A. bisporus, the cultivated mushroom, will also cause fairy rings. Both of these fungi are nonpoisonous, however, do not eat any mushrooms growing in turf areas without first having them identified by a competent authority. The immature stages of Agaricus are indistinguishable from the large, white, poisonous Chlorophyllum molybdites (Leptiota morgani). Only at maturity can these two mushrooms be identified accurately. Even when identified as edible, a mushroom may not be entirely safe. Some individuals may have allergic reactions, while others can become ill if wine or other alcoholic drinks are also consumed. Since children are the largest group of fatalities associated with mushroom poisoning, it is best to dispose of the mushrooms as they appear.

Disease Cycle
Nutrients for these fungi come from the breakdown of organic matter. Infection often begins where large roots or lumber are buried in the soil. Growth usually starts with a germinating fungal spore or with pieces of mycelium at a central point and continues radially in all directions. Each year the rings may enlarge from 5 inches to 2 feet or more. The fungus grows throughout the soil, sometimes to a depth of 8 inches or more. If you dig deeply into the ring area with a trowel or spade, you will find a dense, white, threadlike network of mycelium (mushroom spawn) that has a strong musty odor.

The lush, dark green grass of the fairy ring is due to the increased amount of nitrogen made available to the grass roots by the fungus as it breaks down organic matter in the thatch and soil. The ring of brown, dormant or dead grass is caused by the dense, subsurface layer of mushroom spawn that impedes water movement into the soil, depletes nutrients essential for plant growth, and may produce toxic levels of ammonia or hydrogen cyanide, as is suspected of M. oreades. The grass in this area can become so weakened that it succumbs to environmental stresses or the grass roots are killed by the fungus as other disease organisms. Invasion by weeds soon follows. As the fungus grows outward radially, the older spawn in the interior of the ring dies, releasing nitrogen and other nutrients for use by the grass plants, initiating the possible formation of the inner green ring of stimulated grass. If this lush growth persists into the autumn, the chances of Microdochium nivale (pink snow mold) infection increase. Fairy rings are usually most severe in light-textured, low-fertility soils that are low in moisture. The rings are more common and damaging on lightly watered and fertilized golf fairways and lawns than on well-irrigated and fertilized golf greens, tees, and lawns. Turf with a thick thatch and growing in a sandy soil is very vulnerable to damage, especially in drier regions.

2006-11-19 14:24:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Was asking myself the same thing

2016-08-23 11:01:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

they're called fairy rings

2006-11-19 14:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0 0

Maybe so

2016-08-08 19:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

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