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Brown patch normally occurs in midsummer and results in the formation
of unsightly patches of blighted turf. The fungal disease is capable
of killing tall fescue during extended periods of hot, humid weather.
On some lawns, the disease may appear as roughly circular patches
of blighted turf that range in size from a few inches to several
feet in diameter. Turf in patches initially develops a dark purple-green
color similar to that associated with drought stress. The damaged
turf quickly fades to light tan or brown. Patches may coalesce
to blight large sections of the turf. A more common symptom on
the newer tall fescue varieties is a uniform blighting without
formation of distinct, circular patches. Diseased lawns exhibit
a droughty or wilted appearance even though sufficient soil moisture
is present.
Symptoms on individual plants are also helpful for diagnosing
brown patch. The brown patch fungus initially attacks the leaves
of the turf grass plant, causing the formation of irregular, water-soaked
spots. The spots may be bordered by a dark brown margin. As the
disease progresses, the fungus attacks the plant crown and kills
the plant.
Brown patch development can be very rapid; large blighted areas
may develop within a 24- to 48-hour period. In light attacks,
turf recovers within two to three weeks. When conditions favorable
for disease persist, the tall fescue plants may be killed.
Disease development is favored by nighttime temperatures above
70 F and by a high relative humidity and/or a thin film of moisture
on the leaf surface. In most cases, the fungus attacks only the
leaves, but during severe disease pressure, the crowns or roots
may also be killed.
Do not irrigate lawns in late afternoon or evenings if possible.
This extends the number of hours the leaves remain wet and increases
the likelihood of brown patch development. Irrigation after midnight
to mid-morning is preferable. These are the hours the turf would
normally be wet from dew, and irrigation at this time does not
extend leaf wetness periods. A light fertilization after a brown
patch epidemic may speed turf grass recovery. A Fungicide Application
should be applied to prevent further spread of the disease. You
may need multiple applications every 28 days while weather conditions
favor disease.
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