You Are Here: Management Updates 1998 Archive September 11, 1998

Date: September 11, 1998
Category: Diseases
Subject: Stress Diseases, Fusarium Patch

The continuing drought and humid conditions in most areas has resulted in some fungal diseases, primarily stress problems such as Fusarium leaf blight (not to be confused with Fusarium patch or pink snow mold), Leptosphaerulina blight, and dollar spot. All three of these diseases occur when plant growth is slowed by drought and low fertility, but humid weather favors dew and moisture on leaf blades. All should respond well to standard foliar fungicides, but improved weather conditions should help even more. It is difficult to irrigate in amounts equivalent to a long day of rain, so the coming rain should improve turf growth. Many turf managers are in the process of fertilizing and aerating which should also improve growth and allow the plants to outgrow these fungi.

Weather predictions for very cool nights for the rest of this week should put golf courses at higher elevations on alert for Fusarium patch, especially in recently fertilized and shady areas. Avoid tracking or mowing through any small, reddish spots that occur suddenly.

- Submitted by: Dr. Gail Schumann