Disease Control
Turf Grass Common Diseases
Disease organisms are always present in the lawn; waiting for an opportunity to invade the grass. Many turf diseases require 14 or more hours of free moisture on a blade of grass for the organism to cause a problem. To avoid this environment; remember to let your customers know they need to try and water between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
This is not a complete list of all fungus and disease but common varieties you may see in the field
A list of University sites is included with each disease that can give you more in depth information and further list of other associated diseases. We strong encourage you to always use the wealth of information available on the web from university and extension offices.
Always read the entire label of any pesticide you are applying and follow the labels directions.
Dollar Spot Dollar spot can be confused with brown patch; but it is readily distinguished by characteristic lesions on the leaf blades of live plants near the border of the affected area. Lesions are light tan with a reddish-brown border.
Proper lawn management is the key to prevention and control. In some cases, this may mean aeration with a core-type aerator. Proper watering and fertilizing may bring back a dollar-spot infected lawn. Early morning watering (before sunrise) helps reduce the incidence and spread of dollar spot.
Proper lawn management is the key to prevention and control. In some cases, this may mean aeration with a core-type aerator. Proper watering and fertilizing may bring back a dollar-spot infected lawn. Early morning watering (before sunrise) helps reduce the incidence and spread of dollar spot.
To prevent dollar spot apply a fungicide labeled for the disease at recommended rates and intervals. Applications are most critical during moist weather in the spring, early summer and fall when temperatures are between 70º and 80ºF.
University web sites available for more information
httpwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02933.html
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series400/rpd407/index.html
University web sites available for more information
httpwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02933.html
http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series400/rpd407/index.html
Brown PatchBrown patch is a fungus disease you may see during hot, humid weather. When night temperatures and relative humidity stay high for several days and are accompanied by rain the disease development can be very rapid.
During the above time; heavy nitrogen can cause growth that is very susceptible to brown patch. Avoid nitrogen fertilizer applications just before or during hot weather. Several lighter fertilizer applications are less likely to trigger disease than one heavy application.
Extensive watering on turf grass can greatly increases infection and disease. Do not water in the late afternoon or early evening. Avoid frequent light sprinklings.
When a lawn has had previous brown patch problems, fungicides may be applied when humid weather and hot nights are predicted. Applications should continue according to the fungicide label for as long as the hot, humid weather persists.
University web sites available for more information
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/pdf/3084.pdf
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-106-W.pdf
When a lawn has had previous brown patch problems, fungicides may be applied when humid weather and hot nights are predicted. Applications should continue according to the fungicide label for as long as the hot, humid weather persists.
University web sites available for more information
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/pdf/3084.pdf
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-106-W.pdf
Snow MoldAs the snow melts you may see this disease. Gray Snow Mold and Pink Snow Mold may need different fungicides so know how to distinguish them.
Fungicide applications should be made in late autumn just before permanent snow cover is expected and, if possible, during a mid-winter thaw.University web sites available for more information
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-101-W.pdf
http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/p320snowmolds.html
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-101-W.pdf
http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/p320snowmolds.html
Rust
Rust spores are blown by wind and splashed by rain to new infection sites. Most spores are usually orange in color, but some may be shades of yellow, red, or brown. Typically shows up when weather is overcast with temperatures around low 70’s followed by sunny warm weather. Symptoms are usually more severe where nitrogen levels are low and plants are drought stressed.
Rust spores are blown by wind and splashed by rain to new infection sites. Most spores are usually orange in color, but some may be shades of yellow, red, or brown. Typically shows up when weather is overcast with temperatures around low 70’s followed by sunny warm weather. Symptoms are usually more severe where nitrogen levels are low and plants are drought stressed.
A balanced fertilizer program can manage the disease and or fungicides as directed by label.University web sites available for more information
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/turfrust/rust.htm
http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/plantclinic/documents/rust-turf-_td-4__final.pdf
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/turfrust/rust.htm
http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/plantclinic/documents/rust-turf-_td-4__final.pdf
Powdery Mildew
As with other fungus Powdery Mildew favors moist conditions where air movement is minimal.Bluegrass can be affected by it especially in shaded areas. The fungus is usually first seen as fine, gray-white, cobweb looking growth typically on the upper surface of the leaf blades.
As with other fungus Powdery Mildew favors moist conditions where air movement is minimal.
Powdery mildew may be managed with preventative fungicide applications. The key is to apply these materials in a preventative mode before the disease becomes established, for these materials will only protect healthy and newly developing leaves. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-111-W.pdf
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/info/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/info/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew
Fairy Ring
This fairy ring mushroom is common in summer and fall in lawns. Fairy ring mushrooms often develop in arcs or complete round rings and usually start with a dark green circle.
The dark green grass is largely due to the increased amount of nitrogen that is made available to the grass roots by the fungus as it breaks down organic matter in the thatch and soil. The mushrooms grow on decaying organic matter and are most likely to form in turfs with a thick thatch or in areas where trees have been removed.
Control of fairy rings can be difficult. Symptoms may be suppressed by pumping large quantities of water on either side of the stimulated zone of dark green grass. A light fertilizer application during the growing season will reduce the contrast in green color between the fairy ring and the rest of the turf. Fairy rings can be physically removed by digging out the sod on either side of the dark green ring of grass and replacing it. The infested area may be killed with herbicide. The area can then be reseeded. Certain fungicides are labeled for use for fairy ring control. However; control may only be temporary. Read and follow the label for best results.
http://agri.state.nv.us/PLANT_PATHOLOGY/2006/FairyRingsLawns.pdf
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/pp950w.htm
http://agri.state.nv.us/PLANT_PATHOLOGY/2006/FairyRingsLawns.pdf
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/pp950w.htm
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Quality Fungicide Products to get the job done right
http://www.lovelandproducts.com/docs/assets/6C10DB41-BA26-8C16-EC746AF62B235997/405.pdf
Always read and follow the label – it’s the law
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