Newspaper article…
Steamed About Lawn Diseases?
By Jane Morse, UF/IFAS Extension Agent
Chinch bugs may be the best known lawn pest, but there are diseases that are pests too. Humid, sticky, muggy and wet – welcome to the dog days of summer in Florida. High temperatures and lots of rain and moisture are the perfect combination for fungus to thrive and infect our lawns.
St. Augustinegrass is susceptible to three major fungal attacks during this time of year, namely Grey Leaf Spot disease, Phythium Root Rot and Take-all Root Rot.
![Summer Lawn Diseases](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/files/2013/08/Summer-Lawn-Diseases.jpg)
It is important to minimize stress and avoid excessive flushes of lush rapid growth during the rainy season. Applying Atrazine to the grass is stressful, so timing is important. Once temperatures get above 85 degrees F avoid applying this herbicide. Consider spot-treating problem areas and make sure the grass is being mowed at the proper height.
Phythium Root Rot can appear any time of year, but it is always associated with wet soil conditions. Excessive watering, abundant rainfall or poor drainage conditions can all promote this disease. Since the roots are affected, the symptoms on the leaves are due to what is happening to the root system. There is a general decline in lawn quality. Small or large areas become yellow, light green, or brown in color and become thin. The lawn will seldom die from this root rot. Roots will appear thin with few root hairs and will be discolored, but not black and rotted.
To prevent the disease, improve drainage and reduce watering the lawn, especially before periods of high rainfall. Avoid watering schedules that keep the soil wet. During periods of high rainfall mow grass at the proper height and mow frequently enough to only remove one-third of the leaf blade per mowing. Apply a fertilizer that has an equal amount of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K).
![Summer Lawn Diseases2](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/files/2013/08/Summer-Lawn-Diseases2.jpg)
Once above ground symptoms are seen this disease is very hard to control, so prevention is the key. The grass must be mowed at the correct height and mowed frequently enough so that only one-third of the leaf blade is removed each time it is mowed. Scalping is very stressful because it damages the growing point. Apply equal amounts of slow-release nitrogen and potassium. Avoid nitrate-nitrogen products. Micronutrients should be applied as a foliar (leaf) feeding and they should all be in the sulfate form. If the root system is badly damaged the roots will not be able to get their nutrients from the soil so frequent foliar feeding of all nutrients (N, P, K and micronutrients) in small amounts will be necessary (remember to follow local and county ordinances). Avoid using herbicides on St. Augustinegrass as this is a stressor. Learn how to manage the turfgrass to limit weeds so herbicide usage can be reduced or eliminated.
Most fungal problems can be avoided by using good cultural practices (proper watering, fertilizing and mowing). When disease problems do arise it is best to hire a professional.