![]() ![]() It overwinters in infected plant material. The fungus infects roots and rhizomes, covering them with dark strands of fungal growth. Turf established from seed also has shown the disease but much less frequently. It has become a problem particularly on 2- to 5-year-old Kentucky bluegrass turf established from sod. Necrotic ringspot is another aggravating disease that attacks bluegrass and fine fescue. The problem is aggravated on lawns that are cut too short. Leaf infections are most common in cooler months and the disease spreads by wind, splashing rain, grass clippings, or by equipment. ![]() The fungus survives in plant debris or infected plants. This disease attacks bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. It appears to need water and yet more water does not help and it often makes the problem much worse. Your grass starts to grow well in the spring, and then when warm weather comes, it fades or melts away. Melting out describes the symptom of this disease. The following turfgrass diseases are those most likely to show up in your lawn right now. In some cases using the wrong fungicide makes the disease worse. If you use the wrong product you waste time and money. Even after the diseases are identified, control measures are not always effective and it may take considerable time before your grass recovers. I cannot stress strongly enough that you get the problem identified correctly before undertaking a control program. They often produce symptoms that are hard to recognize and the pathogens themselves can only be identified in a laboratory. Of all of the pest problems, I have dealt with over the years, turfgrass diseases are usually the worst. The symptoms then appear, and these are usually spots of dead grass before your eyes. These pathogens attack both the roots and the leaves of the plants. The major turfgrass diseases are caused by fungi. The abundant moisture shifted the ecosystem to react like our lawns are in the Northeast or Northwest states and we are now dealing with the same problems they have had in lawns for years. We previously covered a number of different problems afflicting our trees because of the spring rains. Of course we can blame it on the rain and temperature. ![]() Then again if the spots are on your lawn, they are coming from one of several fungal diseases that might be attacking your lawn this season. If you are seeing spots before your eyes, perhaps it is time you visit your eye doctor. Larry Sagers Horticultural Specialist Utah State University Extension Service Thanksgiving Point Office © All Rights Reservedįor more on turfgrass diseases, read my column in yesterday’s Deseret Morning News. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. ![]()
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