You Are Here: Management Updates 2003 Archive June 27, 2003

Date: June 27, 2003
Category: Diseases
Subject: Fusarium Patch, Take-All, Leaf Spot, Ascochyta Tip Blight, Anthracnose Basal Rot, Lab Closing

The sudden change of weather has left us with quite a mixture of disease activity. Fusarium patch (pink snow mold) became active after the start of the hot weather on one golf course, which is not easy to explain. Take-all patch symptoms may show up following the heat stress when plants begin to suffer from their fungal-infected roots. Lots of leaf spot activity is taking its toll on all kinds of turf from the prolonged cool, wet weather. This includes the standard Bipolaris and Drechslera (Helminthosporium) leaf spot species as well as Ascochtya tip blight. If the crowns of the plants are alive, they should recover well in the coming week.

Anthracnose basal rot (crown rot) is now active in many golf courses, especially on Poa annua. For diagnosis, pull affected plants straight up and look for the charcoal black fungal growths at the base of the plant. Such plants are not likely to recover even with fungicide treatment, but fungicides will help plants that remain green. For more detailed information, go to visit the Turf Disease Fact Sheets section of this web site.

There is a fact sheet on managing anthracnose as well as the state-approved IPM plan for anthracnose.

Syngenta just received a Section 2(ee) Recommendation for the use of Medallion™ (0.25 to 0.5 oz/ 1000 sq ft) applied alone or in alternation with other fungicides or as a tank mixture with 3.25 oz/1000 sq ft of Daconil Ultrex™ for control of anthracnose. This is approved in the following New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. (New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont are NOT on this label). Note that Medallion™ is a contact fungicide. A systemic compound will be needed for curative control, but it is good to have an additional compound to work with to avoid resistance problems that are already arising with anthracnose. No fungicide will work well, however, unless accompanied by cultural practices that will reduce stress to the turf.

The weather should improve greatly later today (Friday), and it looks like good grass growing weather for all of next week.

- Submitted by: Dr. Gail Schumann