Arguably the most common disease in the UK, can appear 12 months of the year although it’s most likely to be seen in the Spring and Autumn.
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. |
Susceptible grass species | 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)
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.
Non-Fungicidal Products
Phosphite (Directly inhibits Microdochium nivale and primes the turfs natural defence against pathogens).
Copper (Boosts the stability of the cell structure and contributes to the overall hardening of the turf).
Iron Sulphate (hardens the turf/dries out the leaf of the plant).
Chemical Control
Apply a preventative fungicide such as 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 Instrata Elite.
Always add Prestige Super Recovery to each fungicide application.
Notes: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
