Lawn Diseases
The hot, humid conditions along with the
afternoon and evening showers we face in the Southeast during spring and summer are
extremely conducive to fungus activity.
Does your lawn show signs
of any of these problems? If so, click Top Turf's Fungicide Programs for more info
BROWN PATCH:
Brown patch is characterized by the development of
irregular, circular areas a few inches to several feet in diameter. These areas will
usually appear as brownish to grayish patches. These areas can spread rapidly throughout a
fescue lawn when humid, warm, moist conditions exist. Excessive nitrogen levels, watering
during the afternoon and early evening, heavy thatch layers, infrequent mowing, and a dull
mower blade all make fescue more susceptible to brown patch fungus. Proper watering
and mowing practices will help reduce the risk of brown patch, but in most cases,
fungicide treatments will be necessary for effective control.
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DOLLAR SPOT:
Dollar spot appears in bermuda and zoysia
lawns as round, brown to straw-colored areas from one to several inches in diameter. It
starts out about the size of a silver dollar, thus the name "dollar" spot. Low
soil moisture, heat stress from walkways and driveways, poor mowing practices, compact
soil and weak root systems all enhance dollar spot activity. Core aeration to relieve
compaction, proper cultural practices, and fertilization will help to reduce the
occurrence of dollar spot.
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LEAF SPOT:
Leaf spot occurs in warm weather and is
easily recognized. Spots on the leaves develop purplish-red to purplish-brown borders
and brown to tan centers. The spots may be as wide as the leaf and somewhat longer than
wider. Leaf spots may cause the death of leaf tips, and can also attack the crown and basal
parts of the grass plant. Proper watering and mowing, maintaining proper turf density, and
fungicide treatments will help to protect the lawn from leaf spot fungus.
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RUST:
Rust mostly affects bermuda and zoysia lawns. Turf that is infected with
rust will turn light green and then begin to have an orange or reddish cast to the turf.
The orange powder is actually millions of microscopic spores that can rub off on fingers,
shoes, or clothing. Infected leaves can wither and die. Consecutive overcast days with
temperatures in the 70's, lawns with low fertility, and heavy dew formation are conditions
favorable to rust development. The best method of control for rust is proper mowing
practices and fertilization. Fungicides can be used, but normal cultural practices will
generally control it.
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FAIRY RING:
Fairy rings are mostly caused by mushroom fungi
and low soil fertility. The first sign of fairy rings may be a ring of mushrooms followed
by rings of darker grass with an inside border of dead grass. Proper mowing and
fertilization will help control fairy rings. Deep, frequent watering and core aeration
will also help. Fungicides will help to eliminate the symptoms, but fungicides will not
correct the problems causing fairy rings.
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SPRING DEAD SPOT:
The symptoms of Spring Dead Spot are small
circular dead areas of bermuda-grass 6 inches to several feet in diameter in the spring as
bermuda and zoysia grass resumes growth from winter dormancy. Spring Dead Spot is caused
by 3 different fungi based in the soil. These fungi feed on the roots of the grass in the
autumn and fall. The damage from the fungi is normally not seen until the next spring.
Roots can appear to be dark and rotted, and the grass recovers very slowly during the
summer months because the fungi excrete a toxin in the soil that inhibits your grass from
growing back into the damaged areas. It is usually mid-summer before the affected areas
fill in, and the thin areas are often populated by weeds. The disease develops again the
following year in the same areas. The spots can enlarge each year and after 2 to 3 years
may develop into circular areas where Bermuda grass survives in the center
Click for more information on
Spring Dead Spot