Organic Vs Potent Lawn Treatments

Credit: Lane Tredway: Pyriculria grisea: fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, St. Augustinegrass: irregular blighted patches of turf with bleached areas with dark margins on leaves; ryegrass establishes a fishhook look: daytime temperature levels of 8595F; high humidity or rainfall; overwatered and overfertilized grass: water appropriately; do not overfertilize; decrease shading; increase air movement: fungicides are available, but cultural controls are more practical Fusarium patch damage to bentgrass turf.

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McCain: Microdochium nivale: yearly bluegrass, bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, zoysiagrass: circular spots of 12 inches that can enlarge to 12 inches; leaves first appear watersoaked, then reddish brown, and finally bleached; minute, gelatinous spore masses in some cases seen on dead leaves; white or pinkish fungal threads might be seen in morning; more prevalent in Central and Northern California: consistently cool temperature levels (4065F) and wet conditions; high nitrogen applications in fall; neutral or alkaline soil pH; pathogen survives in yard residues: lower shade and improve soil aeration and water drain; water proper length of time; prevent excess nitrogen, specifically in fall; keep soil pH in between 6.56.7.

Credit: M. Ali Harivandi: Bipolaris spp. and Helminthosporium spp.: bermudagrass, bluegrasses, fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, zoysiagrasses: circular to extended brownish spots with brown centers and dark brown or purple borders on leaf blades, sheaths, and stems; crowns and roots regularly have a dark brown rot; crown-infected plants may die in hot, windy weather condition, leaving thinned locations throughout the grass; spores are windborne: warm temperatures (7090F) for bluegrasses, ryegrasses, and fescues; cool temperatures (6070F) for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass; high humidity; low clipped turfgrass; most serious with excess nitrogen fertilization or shortage: reduce shade; improve soil aeration and water drain; prevent dry areas and excessive nitrogen fertilizer; preserve as high a cutting height as possible: fungicides available but typically not necessitated Pythium blight (grease spot), triggered by Pythium sp., on a ryegrass and bluegrass yard.

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Ali Harivandi: Pythium spp.: all turfs: small, circular spots (26 inches) that run together; blackened leaf blades quickly wither, turn reddish brown, lie flat, stick together, and appear greasy; roots might be brown; in damp conditions, masses of fungal mycelium may appear: low areas that remain wet; warm temperatures (8095F daytime, > 68F night time); makes it through as spores in soil for extended periods: reduce shading; enhance soil aeration and water drainage; water suitable length of time; prevent mowing damp lawn and applying high levels of nitrogen during hot, damp weather condition: fungicides readily available but primarily avoided by cultural practices in California Patches of high fescue turfgrass infected with Rhizoctonia blight.

What Diseases Are Ruining Your Grass?

Credit: Arthur H. McCain: Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2LP: bermudagrasses, kikuyugrass, St. Augustine grass, zoysiagrass: first looks like small, irregular brown spots or rings that can increase the size of to lots of feet in diameter; centers might recover leading to rings of unhealthy lawn; leaves and sheaths end up being watersoaked, wilt, turn light brown, and die; plants take out easily from soil with rotten stolons, in light invasions, roots typically not contaminated and plants typically recover; soil-inhabiting fungi that forms fine, fungal threads in soil or on turfgrass: excess thatch and mat in addition to cool temperatures (6070F); wet soil conditions: reduce shading and enhance soil aeration and water drainage; water appropriate length of time to a depth of 46 inches; avoid excess nitrogen in the fall; keep thatch less than 1/2 inch: fungicide helpful if illness severe in previous Red thread damage to turf foliage.

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McCain: Laetisaria fuciformis: bentgrasses, bermudagrasses bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses: red thread may eliminate turfgrass in spots that are 28 inches in size, or the disease may happen over big locations without eliminating the plants; pink web of fungal threads bind the leaves together; try to find pink, gelatinous fungal crusts projecting from the leaves to help recognize this disease: typical under conditions of moderate air temperatures (6075F) and extended periods of leaf wetness; often appears on plants lacking in nitrogen throughout periods of cool or warm temperatures if there is adequate moisture (e.g., excess irrigation or rains): correct irrigation and fertilization can minimize the occurrence; appropriate nitrogen usually can avoid this disease from happening; prevent drought tension by watering turfgrass based upon evapotranspiration needs of the turfgrass; supply adequate air blood circulation; reduce shading: fungicides seldom warranted except in severe cases Rust damage to bluegrass foliage.