can someone give me some information about the fungal lawn disease called Brown Patch?

Question

I had my lawn tested and I was told it had "Brown Patch" I am looking for information on how the disease spreads and if it lives in the soil or news living tissue to thrive.

It IS a fungus...I had my soil tested and I was told it was the fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. It has nothing to do with grubs.

This question is for Jazzmaninica2003 regarding Rootshield. Thank you so much for all your helpful advice. I have some questions regarding the Rootshield product you mentioned. Someone else also recommended this product, so I have been thinking about using it for awhile. However, I live in zone 6 and have cool season grasses...I was wondering if the beneficial fungus would survive the cold winters. If so, I was wondering how much product I would have to purchase to cover 4000 square feet of lawn?

Answer 1

The "PlantMD" has some excellent suggestions and I'd like to add a few more....

I'd also recommend checking to see if you have adequate air movement over your lawn AND if there might be too much shade (which could delay your grass from drying). Consider pruning your trees and shrubs around the area to increase sunlight penetration and increase air movement over your turf.

To reduce disease outbreaks during the winter and early spring, avoid fall applications of nitrogen fertilizer.

Since thatch harbors the brown patch fungus, you may want to consider periodic dethatching to prevent its buildup.

Avoid standing water on your lawn. Since you may need to remove the excess water that accumulates on your lawn, good drainage is required. You should consider using a combination of compost + chicken & steer manure over the area. The beneficial bacteria and fungi found in these products will help form soil aggregates so water and oxygen will be able to penetrate more easily. It's been proven that certain beneficial soil micro-organisms will help protect your plant from "Rhizoctonia Solani" and other diseases....preventing them from becoming established.

You can enhance beneficial microbial growth in your soil by sprinkling corn meal over your turf. The cornmeal will act as a food source (contains starch) and the microbes will continue to thrive and protect your turf.

And lastly....there's a biological fungicide that is available to homeowners and it's been found to be extremely effective in controlling Rhizoctonia as well as other diseases found in commercial greenhouse production, organic farming and conventional agriculture. It is called Trichoderma harzianum and it's sold as "ROOTSHIELD GRANULES". It can be found at the following: www.growquest.com/rootshield_home.htm

Trichoderma harzianum will become established in your lawn and protect it for many, many months.

I'm NOT an employee of any of these companies but have had many years of experience dealing with natural products and controlling various diseases in a variety of situations.

Hope you found this information useful. Good luck!

Answer 2

Brown patch is definitely a fungus. It affects all warm season grasses, so if you have St. Augustine you may have it. Brown patch usually occurs when temperatures are below 80, it is mainly a late fall/winter/early spring problem on turfgrass.

It causes the basal portion of the grass blade to rot, so it is pulled easily from its sheath. Patches start off small, then get bigger as the disease progresses.

Too much nitrogen on the turf can make the fungus grow faster. Essentailly when you apply nitrogen, you encourage tissue growth, which provides more food for the fungus.

To reduce the fungus without chemicals, apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer and water only in the early morning hours so the grass has time to 'dry out' during the day. Fungi love water, so any that remains on the turf (especially if you irrigate at night) can serve as a means for the fungus to thrive and survive. You should also mow your grass at the proper mowing height which will reduce the stress on your turf, and make it less prone to disease.

You can actually spread the disease with your lawn mower, by walking over it in your shoes (or bare feet). What happens is the mower, you, pest, etc, pick up the fungal structures and relocate them throughout your yard. If you know you have brown patch in an area, mow that area last! Clean off yor mower and shoes.

It can also survive in the thatch layer, so have your lawn periodically dethatched.

Fortunately (or maybe not so fortunate) with Brown patch, it usually will pop up in the same place year after year. So a preventative fungicide application may help, if the problem can't be controlled culturally (by applying the proper fertilizer, watering in the AM, mow at the proper mowing height, etc.). This should get you started!

Answer 3

I'm no lawn care professional, but I think it has to do with parasites like grubs or something living in your lawn. It's not that hard to take care of really. I think you have to remove the grass in that spot, rake it over, and then apply insecticides mixed with grass seed which you can get at any local garden or hardware store. They should also be able to advise you on what brown patch is and what products are best to use on it. (unless they are total Tards!)

Answer 4

It doesn't have to do with a fungus. It has to do with grubs in the ground going and eating the roots of the grass. Ortho puts out a great book on stuff like that. Just spread some insecticide on your grass for grubbs and that should take care of it.

Also be careful that you don't water your grass during the daytime. The water can act like a magnifying glass and burn your grass.

Answer 5

Google "brown patch"

Answer 6

yeah I want some brown patch