Keeping a lawn lush and healthy requires proper care and maintenance, but even the best-kept turf can fall prey to diseases that affect its appearance, growth, and resilience. Knowing how to identify and manage turfgrass diseases can help prevent them from spreading and keep your lawn looking its best. Here are five of the most common turfgrass diseases and some strategies to manage them effectively.
Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani)
Description: Brown patch is one of the most common diseases affecting turfgrass, especially in warm, humid climates. It causes circular patches of brown or yellowed grass, which may expand quickly if untreated. Brown patch typically strikes in late spring and summer, thriving in nighttime temperatures above 60°F (15°C) and high humidity.
Management
- Water early: Water in the early morning to allow grass blades to dry out quickly and reduce humidity.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen: Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer can promote the growth of succulent, disease-prone leaves.
- Improve drainage: Enhance air circulation and reduce moisture by aerating the soil and removing any thatch build-up. Improve drainage: Enhance air circulation and reduce moisture by aerating the soil and removing any thatch build-up.
Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa)
Description: Dollar spot appears as small, round, silver-dollar-sized patches of bleached or straw-colored grass. It can affect many types of turfgrass and is common in both warm and cool climates, often appearing in lawns with nitrogen levels and during periods of moderate temperatures and high humidity.
Management
- Mow regularly: Keep blades sharp and avoid mowing when grass is wet.
- Regular fertilization: Ensure adequate nitrogen levels to strengthen turfgrass and reduce susceptibility to disease.
- Use fungicides as needed: For persistent dollar spot, consider applying fungicides as directed for turfgrass.
Pythium Blight (Pythium spp.)
Pythium blight, also known as grease spot, is a destructive disease affecting turfgrass in hot, humid conditions. This disease often shows as greasy, water-soaked patches of grass that can turn brown and collapse rapidly. It can spread quickly in overly wet conditions and is especially problematic in poorly drained areas.
Management
- Mow regularly: Keep blades sharp and avoid mowing when grass is wet.
- Improve drainage: Reduce excessive water accumulation by improving soil drainage and avoiding overwatering.
- Apply fungicide: Pythium blight is particularly aggressive, so consider using fungicides for quick control in hot, humid conditions.
- Avoid over-fertilization: High nitrogen levels can exacerbate Pythium blight, so avoid heavy fertilizer applications in mid-summer.
