Protecting Kids Safe With Lawn Control

Credit: Lane Tredway: Pyriculria grisea: fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, St. Augustinegrass: irregular blighted spots of turf with bleached spots with dark margins on leaves; ryegrass establishes a fishhook appearance: daytime temperature levels of 8595F; high humidity or rains; overwatered and overfertilized grass: water appropriately; do not overfertilize; reduce shading; increase air motion: fungicides are available, but cultural controls are more useful Fusarium spot damage to bentgrass grass.

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McCain: Microdochium nivale: annual bluegrass, bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, zoysiagrass: circular patches of 12 inches that can expand to 12 inches; leaves initially appear watersoaked, then reddish brown, and finally bleached; minute, gelatinous spore masses often seen on dead leaves; white or pinkish fungal threads may be seen in morning; more widespread in Central and Northern California: consistently cool temperatures (4065F) and wet conditions; high nitrogen applications in fall; neutral or alkaline soil pH; pathogen endures in grass residues: lower shade and enhance soil aeration and water drainage; water suitable length of time; avoid excess nitrogen, specifically in fall; keep soil pH in between 6.56.7.

Credit: M. Ali Harivandi: Bipolaris spp. and Helminthosporium spp.: bermudagrass, bluegrasses, fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, zoysiagrasses: circular to elongated brownish areas with brown centers and dark brown or purple verge on leaf blades, sheaths, and stems; crowns and roots often have a dark brown rot; crown-infected plants may pass away in hot, windy weather condition, leaving thinned areas throughout the turf; spores are windborne: warm temperature levels (7090F) for bluegrasses, ryegrasses, and fescues; cool temperature levels (6070F) for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass; high humidity; low clipped turfgrass; most extreme with excess nitrogen fertilization or deficiency: minimize shade; improve soil aeration and water drainage; prevent dry areas and excessive nitrogen fertilizer; keep as high a cutting height as possible: fungicides offered but frequently not called for Pythium blight (grease area), brought on by Pythium sp., on a ryegrass and bluegrass yard.

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Ali Harivandi: Pythium spp.: all yards: little, circular spots (26 inches) that run together; blackened leaf blades quickly wither, turn reddish brown, lie flat, stick together, and appear greasy; roots may be brown; in humid conditions, masses of fungal mycelium might appear: low areas that stay damp; warm temperature levels (8095F daytime, > 68F night time); survives as spores in soil for long durations: lower shading; improve soil aeration and water drainage; water suitable length of time; avoid trimming wet turf and applying high levels of nitrogen during hot, humid weather condition: fungicides readily available however mainly prevented by cultural practices in California Patches of high fescue turfgrass infected with Rhizoctonia blight.

Keeping Kids Safe With Lawn Treatments

Credit: Arthur H. McCain: Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2LP: bermudagrasses, kikuyugrass, St. Augustine grass, zoysiagrass: first appears as little, irregular brown spots or rings that can enlarge to many feet in diameter; centers may recover resulting in rings of infected grass; leaves and sheaths end up being watersoaked, wilt, turn light brown, and pass away; plants pull out easily from soil with rotten stolons, in light infestations, roots normally not contaminated and plants frequently recuperate; soil-inhabiting fungus that forms fine, fungal threads in soil or on turfgrass: excess thatch and mat together with cool temperatures (6070F); damp soil conditions: reduce shading and enhance soil aeration and water drainage; water proper length of time to a depth of 46 inches; prevent excess nitrogen in the fall; preserve thatch less than 1/2 inch: fungicide helpful if disease extreme in previous Red thread damage to turf foliage.

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McCain: Laetisaria fuciformis: bentgrasses, bermudagrasses bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses: red thread may kill turfgrass in spots that are 28 inches in diameter, or the disease may take place over large areas without killing the plants; pink web of fungal threads bind the leaves together; search for pink, gelatinous fungal crusts projecting from the leaves to help recognize this illness: common under conditions of moderate air temperature levels (6075F) and extended periods of leaf dampness; often appears on plants deficient in nitrogen throughout periods of cool or warm temperature levels if there is sufficient moisture (e.g., excess watering or rains): proper watering and fertilization can minimize the occurrence; appropriate nitrogen usually can avoid this disease from occurring; avoid drought tension by irrigating turfgrass based upon evapotranspiration needs of the turfgrass; offer appropriate air flow; reduce shading: fungicides hardly ever warranted other than in extreme cases Rust damage to bluegrass foliage.