BROWN PATCH

• Pathogen:  Rhizoctonia solani.
• Grasses Affected:  All turf grass types are affected.
• Season of Occurrence:  Late spring, summer and early fall.
• Symptoms and Signs:  Circular patches of dead grass a few inches to a few feet in diameter appear in the lawn during periods of high humidity and 75° and 85°F temperatures.  These brown areas are sometimes surrounded by dark purplish smoky rings.  Filmy white tufts cover blades in the early morning before the dew dries.  After two to three weeks, the brown grass in the center of the patches may recover and turn green giving brown areas a doughnut shape.
• Conditions Favoring Disease Development:  Brown patch is one of the most prevalent diseases in warm, humid areas; it attacks all turf grasses.  Lush, tender growth caused by excessive nitrogen fertilizer is the most susceptible to attack.  Sometimes only the blades are affected, and the grass recovers in two to three weeks.  When the infection is severe and warm weather continues, the disease attacks plant crowns and kills the grass.
• Control: Call EMPIRE TREE AND TURF to be place on a fungicide program  The lawn should be sprayed when the disease is first noticed and at least 3 more times. Treatments should be continued as long as warm, humid weather continues.  Keep grass as dry as possible to slow down disease spread.  Water only in the very early morning,(3am-5am) 1 or 2 times a week.