Disease
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Disease
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Observing spots and patches of yellow or brown turf grass does not automatically mean the turf grass has a disease. For landscape maintenance companies and pest control companies, the primary obstacle they may face is lack of control over all the management practices. For example, the homeowner may control the irrigation system. One company does the mowing. Another company or the homeowner applies the fertilizer. Then, if necessary, another company applies the pesticides. Better coordination and communication among all the people involved with maintenance is required to insure healthy turf grass. While irrigation is essential to prevent drought damage during the dry season, the amount of water and the timing of its application can prevent or contribute to disease development. Most fungal pathogens that cause leaf diseases require free water on the leaf or very high humidity to initiate the infection process. Irrigate only when drought stress (curled leaf blades) is observed, and then apply enough water to saturate the root zone of the turf grass. Make sure the irrigation system is applying the water uniformly across the area. Irrigating everyday for a few minutes is not beneficial for the turf grass because it does not provide enough water to the root zone, but it is beneficial for the turf grass pathogens. Fungicides do not promote the growth of the turf grass. The only way healthy turf grass will reappear is when new growth occurs. For example: A leaf spot will remain on the leaf, even after a fungicide is applied. This diseased leaf area will remain until it is removed by mowing, and new leaf tissue replaces it. Since many of the turf grass diseases to be described later occur when the grass is not growing actively, complete recovery may be very slow. You may think you are seeing no response to the fungicide application when in fact the fungicide has been effective against the fungal target. It is simply that the turf grass has not grown enough to replace the diseased tissue. Brown Patch occurs on dense, heavily fertilized and watered turf in hot (above 85°F), humid weather when night temperatures remain above 60°F. Poorly drained soils, thick thatch and night irrigation lengthen the period of leaf wetness and promote greater infection. High levels of nitrogen and low levels of phosphorous or potassium may contribute to increased disease severity. Mowing with a dull mower blade frays leaf blade tips and causes excessive wounding that enhances infection through those frayed blade tips.
Take All Patch usually occurs early spring or late fall. Early symptoms appear as yellowing and thinning turf in circular or irregular patches. The roots are often short, blackened and rotten. The grass stems can often be lifted from the soil due to the poor root system. The yellowing grass blades eventually die and become brown, followed by turf decline. These condition is often confused as brown patch. The early symptoms are the same, but the grass blades yellow and can be easily removed from the roots with a gentle tug. The base of the brown patch infected blade is usually slimy and rotten. The key difference is that the roots remain green with brown patch allowing the grass to recover in the spring. Proper drainage as well as correct irrigation practices must be followed as this only encourages disease.
Grey Leaf Spot Grey leaf spot is seen more on newer sprigged or plugged lawns during high humidity and high night-time temperatures. Indications of Grey leaf spot are round, beige spots with a dark line on the outer edge of the circle.
Rust Yellow appearance progressing to red, then brown Shoot attacking fungus; rust infections are most severe on slow growing grasses; rust fungi may over winter in infected plants or be introduced into lawns each year by wind blown spores; infection of leaf blades favored by moderate temperatures (68 to 85 degrees) and extended wet periods; once infection occurs, slightly higher temperatures favor symptom development
St.
Augustine Decline
- (S.A.D.) is a virus that causes yellowing and virtually a downhill decline of
a St. Augustine lawn. While it hasn't been found in Florida, it has been found
in Texas and Louisiana. There is no effective treatment or control. It basically
wipes out a St. Augustine lawn.
Mushrooms in the Lawn They are quite common following prolonged wet weather and often disappear as soon as the soil begins to dry or when the grass is mowed. Mushrooms that grow individually or in clumps usually develop from buried organic matter such as pieces of construction lumber, logs, or tree stumps. These fungi are difficult to control until all wood or other organic matter upon which they grow has been completely decayed. In some cases it may be practical to dig up the pieces of rotting wood or other debris. It is usually best to break or mow off the mushrooms or puffballs and let the fungus go ahead and complete decay of the material.
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Fantasy Lawns Inc. SM Merritt Island - Florida - 32954-2250 e-mail: Info@fantasylawns.com Fantasy Lawns Inc. is a Service Mark Registered Name in the State of Florida and may NOT be Copied or Used The information contained in this web site is subject to
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