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Turf Resource
Center
Its no secret that everyone wants to have a perfectly groomed,
healthy, and green lawn, but with the wide variety of insects
and fungi which can cause your turf to deteriorate, along with
drought stress, it can be a tough goal to achieve.
In order to avoid unnecessary application of pesticide,
fungicide, or fertilizer, proper tests should always be
conducted by experienced personnel to conclusively determine the
problem before action is taken, as application of unnecessary
product can often have a contrary effect to the desired outcome. Outlined below are a few of the more commonly encountered turf
issues. Click on the condition for a full informational
handout.
Nematodes
Nematodes are un-segmented roundworms. Nematodes which live in the ground
are very small, and generally can only be seen through a
microscope. They damage grass by consuming their root
system, making the plant less able to absorb water and
nutrients. Infestation can usually be characterized by
irregular patches of declining grass which can often be mistaken
for "hot spots" or patchy areas of drought. The
appearance of Sedge, a weed, can also signal a nematode
infestation. Proper soil
core sampling must be done to conclusively assess a nematode
infestation.
Drought
Drought is a major problem, especially in the arid Southern environments.
The sporadic rainfall, and increasingly strict watering
regulations, can be extremely detrimental to the health of your
lawn. You can help to buffer your lawn against this, as
well as reduce your lawn's overall watering needs, by using
mycorrhizal inoculants, which help your turf to more efficiently
absorb water and nutrients by increasing the effective root
zone. You can also view a full line of turf-specific mycorrhizal products at
www.SustainableLandscapeSupply.com. Take-All Root Rot
Although commonly confused with a fungal disease called Brown Patch,
Take-all root rot is caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces
graminis var. graminis. The fungus primarily
damages the turf's roots while the plant is weakened during
moist and warm conditions of the early spring and summer.
Other contributing factors are high soil pH, soil compaction,
improper fertility, improper cutting height, and herbicide
injury. Symptoms include irregular patches with yellowing.
While there is no product currently available which destroys the
fungus, and excessive treatment of any kind can actually
strengthen the infestation, control and management with proper
nutrient and fertilizer application, and prudent cutting
practices can help cull the damage and spread.
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- On the left is a healthy turf root, compared to a root
damaged by nematodes on the right.
Photo credit goes to the
University of Florida IFAS Extension Office.
- Declining areas caused by Take-all Root Rot. This
can easily be mistaken for a "hot spot" or simply a dry
area. A proper analysis is needed for a conclusive
diagnosis.
Photo credit goes to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
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