Brown
Patch Turf Disease by
Landscape Concepts
Humidity
and excessively wet conditions can create the perfect
opportunity for brown patch to develop during the
summer months.
The
fungus develops during the hot, wet, and humid weather
patterns and affects all turf grasses. Tall
fescue and lush cool-season lawns are especially
vulnerable.
The
disease creates round or irregular patches in shades
of tan to brown that can range in size from 6" to
2'. The outer edge of the patch may be darker in
color. Upon closer inspection you will see
irregularly shaped dark lesions on the leaves and a
gray to white fungal growth when the turf is wet.
Environmental
influences include daytime temperatures in the 80s to
mid90s, warm nighttime temperatures in the mid 60s and
above, and abundant rainfall. Overly irrigated
areas, wet soils with poor drainage, shaded turf
areas, and turf areas with little or no air movement
are more susceptible to developing the disease.
There
are dozens of products labeled for the preventive
and/or curative control of brown patch. Always
check labels for restrictions. The disease will
often subside when weather conditions are cooler and
dryer.
To
reduce the risk of brown patch there are several
cultural practices you can implement:
-
Avoid
excessive fertilizer, especially in the
summer. Several light applications are less
likely to trigger the disease than one heavy
application.
-
Keep
lawns mowed to avoid excessively tall grass.
-
Improve
air flow by pruning or removing overgrown trees
and shrubs.
-
Water
lawns early in the day to allow turf to dry
quicker and allow the soil to dry out between
waterings.
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