Its that time of year where turf diseases start to show up more and its finding different ways of dealing with them,
The most common one is fusarium i have written some information on this disease.
Probably the most common and damaging disease of fine turf in the uk , it can occur in Spring or Autumn first appears as small dark brown or orange cicular spots these may increase in size and number very rapidly to produce patches of dead grass the diseased grass may be wet and slimy. Diseased patches have a dark brown ring around a paler centre , sometimes fungal mycelium appearing white or pink can be seen around the edges of the patches ,often matting dead leaves togther .
most troublesome in fine turf because it attacks Annual meadow grass and can attack other fine grasses the disease is favored by humid atmospheric conditions and a moist turf surface .Excessive nitrogen applications applied in late autumn lead to rapid disease development also alkaline turf surface will also favour the disease.
Moisture control to avoid humid surface conditions will do much to prevent the disease this can be achieved by attention to drainage by switching to remove dew .Aeration and careful topdressing with sandy compost to make the surface less moisture retentive .
Regular use of Sulphate of iron by acidifying the plant tissues and the thatch to which it comes into contact will help control the disease although not as effective as a fungicide .
Systemic fungicides benomyl carbendazim thiabendazole are most effective in the growing season and contact fungicides chlorothalonil will control in late autumn and in the winter months when the grass is slow .
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Nice one Rich, havent come across any instances yet but has certainly been a good summer/ autumn for moss.
Bought some chipco green today for one customers lawn. Not a cheap product but it will hopefully do the trick. Its quite refreshing that a client wants this work done as most are not prepared to pay for it - hope it goes away!
Talk about timing! Got a call from a client today, we laid a new lawn for them about two weeks ago and they called today saying there was a covering of white mould over the turf. I haven't got back to them yet as it wasn't something I have come across before. But I wondered if it was due to the damp/overcast conditions we have had here in the South east and possibly them over watering?
Any thoughts and remedies appreciated. I considered maybe it was Fusarium but they didn't mention patches.
Tell them to avoid travelling over the surface if possible until you get there to look. It can be carried on shoes to infect other parts of the lawn. There are various fungicides but you want a contact type at this time of year such as chipco green.
As far as other remedies go, iron will help the grass to fight the fungus. Switching to remove dew is also good. Did you apply alot of fertilizer when laying the lawn? It likes lush green grass and shows up much more on quality turf such as a newly laid or seeded lawn. The damp, warm weather is certainly ideal conditions for fusarium. I've never seen it blanket a whole lawn but thats not to say it never happens, i dont know.
I noticed armillatox being used to good effect on fairy rings (another thread). I wonder if it will deal with fusarium as well?