Fungus
Use this guide to identify some common lawn fungus.
Rust Fungus
Rust spores will turn shoes orangish-red. Forms when grass in unable to dry out, thatch is thick, mowing in infrequesnt.
Treatment: Regular mowing. Spores live in blade tips and die when cut. Clean lawn implements to prevent spreading.
Red Thread
Cool season grasses most susceptible. Grass may appear to be dead, but it does not kill the grass as crown and roots of grass are not affected.
Treatment: None recommended. Will disappear as the temperature increases.
Necrotic Ring
Infects the roots of Kentucky Bluegrass typically on sports turf.
Treatment: Aggressive. Dig out to depth of 6 to 8 inches. Clean implements to prevent spread. Systemic fungicide treatment.
Moss
Can help lawns retain water. Can be decorative. Increases and spreads rapidly.
Treatment: 1 gallon of water to 2 ounces of gentle dish soap (blue Dawn) in a spray bottle.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms break down organic material and make your soil more productive.
Treatment: None recommended. Will disappear as the temperature increases.
Fairy Ring
Fairy rings are caused by many different soil-inhabiting fungi (of Basidiomycetes class), which can cause the development of rings or arcs of deep green grass or dead grass. Mushrooms can develop in rings.
Treatment: Mow grass with vertical mower. Aerate. Remove stumps and roots that are decaying to reduce amount of organic matter on which they feed.
Dollar Spot
Surface of lawn stays wet. Soil is dry. Infection occurs in extended dew periods in temperatures (50-80 degrees F).
Treatment: Proper irrigation scheduling and fungicide treatment.
Brown Patch
Affects all cool season turf grasses and can result in thinning and poorer quality grass. May develop overnight. Active during hot summer when overnight temperatures stay about 65o F with dew periods exceeding 10 hours.
Treatment: Be aware of other fungal infestations that may be present, as they affect the type of fungicide treatment used to treat Brown Patch. Can exacerbate other fungal infestations if not carefully selected.
Pink Slime Mold
Will usually go away with the absence of dreary wet weather.
Treatment: None. Can wash off with a hose.
Dog Vomit Mold
More closely related to an amoeba than a fungus. Common in wet weather.
Treatment: None. Can wash off with a hose.
Grey Leaf Spot
Can resemble drought stress. Foliar disease that infects perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue with a blue gray cast and noticeably thins, decays and kills grass blades. Moderate outbreaks result in clusters of dead grass, whereas a severe outbreak can kill the entire turf. Spreads very fast. Young lawns extremely susceptible.
Treatment: Avoid extending dew periods by not using irrigation during late afternoon or early evening. Early detection necessary with immediate fungicide treatment by lawn professionals as responsiveness can be erratic.
