Microdochium Patch

Early Symptoms	A darkened, water-soaked appearance. Some white/grey mycelium may be present.
Late Symptoms	The patches enlarge. In appearance theyre salmon pink to orange brown colour. White and pinkmycelia may be present. Scars appear dark when wet and pale when dry. If not treated, it may take months to heal.
Grass species that is susceptible	All grass species are suseptible. The most severely affected species is annual meadow-grass.
When does it appear?	It most commonly appears in the spring and autumn. It is its most severe in autumn.
Climate Conditions	It appears when the weather is mild and wet. Shaded areas with poor air circulation are particularly susceptible.
Turf condition	Sward with high annual meadow-grass content, wet turf surfaces, over-fertilised, excessive thatch layer, alkaline conditions, aeration and topdessing activities at the end of the season (in high disease risk periods).

(formerly known as Fusarium Patch)

microdochium Patch

Causes

Microdochium Patch is a fungal disease that appears as roughly circular patches from 10mm up to 300mm in diameter.
Leaves become water soaked, turn reddish-brown and then bleach.
Pink or white mycelia may be visible in early morning.
Develops under various conditions: wet, humid, cool (0-15 degrees Celsius); high nitrogen (N) fertility in autumn and excessive thatch.

Cultural Control

Do not apply excessive amounts of nitrogen during high-risk periods when the grass is susceptible to disease attack.
Ensure sufficient nitrogen so as to avoid plant stress.
In autumn use fertilisers with a high K to low N ratio.
Spoon feeding nitrogen (either through liquids or slow release fertilisers) will avoid soft growth.
Control excessive thatch through programmed approach.
Use a penetrative wetting agent in the autumn to reduce surface moisture.
Increase aeration.
Increase airflow.
Increase light.
Use acidifying fertilisers based on ammonium sulphate.

Chemical Control

Apply a preventative fungicide such as Heritage Maxx (Azoxystrobin), Dedicate or Ascernity (Solatenol and Difenoconazole) when risk is high (e.g. prior to carrying out thatch removal) and temperatures are above 10 degrees.

Apply a preventative fungicide such as Medallion TL (Fludioxonil) if temperatures are below 6 degrees.

Apply Clayton Bestow (Tebuconazole, Trifloxystrobin) or Instrata Elite.

Always add Prestige Super Recovery to each fungicide application.

Notes:

Heritage Maxx has been withdrawn from sale and distribution. You have until the 24th March 2024 for the disposal, storage and use of existing stock

Clayton Bestow has been withdrawn from sale and distribution. You have until 30th June 2024 for the disposal, storage and use of existing stock.

Use fungicides as part of an IPM programme and be aware of causing resistance to one chemical group by its regular use.

Use plant protection safely. Always read the label and product information before use