Turf Diseases
Turf diseases are usually caused by fungi invading plant tissues and robbing them of essential nutrients. Alternatively, they can be caused by fungi inhabiting the plants root zone and starving the plant of water and nutrients. However caused, turf diseases need to be dealt with in order to restore your lawn to full health.
There are many diseases which attack turf. Fortunately most of these diseases are found mainly in intensively managed turf where fine grass species have been used. Domestic lawns are usually created using Perennial Ryegrasses, this is because they have excellent resistance to wear and are tolerant of the climate in the UK. The main turf disease threats to domestic lawns are;
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Rust
Perennial Ryegrasses are susceptible to many rust diseases. These can occur all year round but are most common from early summer to late autumn and are a result of low fertility and infrequent mowing. |
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Red Thread
Symptoms include patches of bleached leaves with red needles projecting from leaves. The whole patch may take on a pink appearance. Red Thread is encouraged by low nitrogen. |
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Type 1 Fairy Ring
The ring of dead or dying grass results from toxin being produced by the fungal mycelium in the root zone of the plant. This effect is made worse by water stress, caused by the presence of waxy mycelium just below the soil surface in the dead area. This layer of mycelium presents an impervious barrier which prevents the turf from getting water. The fungus lives off organic matter and releases nitrogen into the surrounding soil. This has the effect of producing stimulated grass growth in the area adjacent to the fungus. |
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Type 2 Fairy Ring
Although not as damaging as Type 1 Fairy Ring, it is still a disfiguring scar on areas of mown turf. The dark bands are more evident in long dry summers when the surrounding grass lacks colour. Type 1 and 2 fairy rings are difficult to deal with because of their position within the soil and the fact they can be found to extend one foot below the soil surface. |
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Type 3 Fairy Ring
Type 3 Fairy Ring are those which produce a circle of toadstools or puffballs without creating a stimulated or dead ring of turf. Control of these rings is relatively easy as symptoms can be removed by mowing. |
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Thatch Fungi
First seen as small dark green patches about the size of a tennis ball that increase in size to around 30cm. At the height of the expanding stage a creamy coloured mycelium is seen. The fungus eats away organic matter in the thatch layer and releases nitrogen which results in dark colouration. Thatch Fungus can be controlled by scarification. |
High risk periods for turf pests and diseases
An effective pest and disease control program firstly requires identification of the disease or the undesirable species and secondly the problem needs to be brought under control and eliminated. To control pests in turf Stripes Lawn Care use market leading soil insecticides and fungicides that will quickly and effectively deal with unwelcome turf pests and diseases.
