Common Turf Diseases

Maintaining healthy and resilient turf is essential for effective turf management. However, common turf diseases can pose a significant challenge, leading to uneven growth, unsightly patches, and compromised health.

Knowing the types of diseases commonly found in turf, along with their distinctive characteristics, enables timely and effective control measures to keep the turf in optimal condition.

Identifying Common Turf Diseases

Turf diseases weaken grass by attacking vital plant tissues, which can lead to discoloration, thinning, and even turf death. Here are some of the most widespread turf diseases found in the UK:

Microdochium patch is characterised by small, water-soaked spots that can expand into larger patches with a pinkish-white mycelium. It thrives in cool, wet conditions and is often found in areas with poor drainage.

Dollar spot appears as small, silver-dollar-sized spots that coalesce into larger patches. The disease causes sunken, straw-colored lesions on the grass blades, and is most active in warm, humid conditions.

Anthracnose can affect both the leaves and the crown of the turfgrass, causing yellowing and thinning. It is most prevalent during periods of stress, such as heat and drought, and often appears as irregularly shaped, brown patches.

Pythium is identified by greasy, water-soaked spots that quickly turn brown and die. This disease spreads rapidly in hot, humid weather and can devastate large areas of turf in a short period.

Brown patchcreates circular patches of dead or dying grass, often with a distinctive smoke ring on the perimeter. It favors warm, humid conditions and is common in the summer months.

Leaf spot is characterised by small, dark lesions on the grass blades that can expand and cause the blades to yellow and die. This disease is prevalent in wet, cool conditions and can weaken the turf significantly.

Grey leaf spot causes grey to brown lesions on the leaves and can result in significant thinning of the turf. It thrives in warm, humid environments and can spread quickly under optimal conditions.

Effective Turf Disease Management Strategies

Each disease requires a specific combination of cultural and chemical control methods. Here are some general guidelines for effective turf disease management:

1. Proper Mowing: Maintain appropriate mowing heights to reduce stress on the turf and prevent conditions conducive to disease development.
2. Adequate Fertilization: Apply balanced fertilizers to ensure healthy turf growth and improve resistance to diseases.
3. Irrigation Management: Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and avoid prolonged leaf wetness, which can promote disease.
4. Thatch Control: Regularly dethatch to reduce the organic matter layer where pathogens can thrive.
5. Aeration: Aerate the soil to improve drainage and reduce soil compaction, enhancing root growth and reducing disease incidence.
6. Chemical Controls: Use fungicides as needed, following label recommendations to manage specific diseases effectively.

By understanding and addressing common turf diseases, you can maintain a healthy, attractive, and resilient turfgrass stand. Regular monitoring and proactive management are key to preventing and mitigating the impact of these diseases.