Take-all Patch (Gaeumannomyces graminis)

Take-all patch is a fungal turf grass disease that infects the crowns and roots of the plant, causing it to die out in a saucer shaped pattern. In severe cases this disease can be devastating to turf as it can be a difficult disease to control.

This disease primarily attacks bent grass turf and is most active between June and December. It is very common on newly constructed sand based golf greens, before the root zone has had time to build up a large population of bacteria and micro organisms that help to suppress take-all patch disease.

Take-all is often triggered by a sudden rise in the soil pH which can be caused by applying alkaline materials or even alkaline water used for irrigation.

Identifying Take-all patch

The initial symptoms begin with a slight reddening of infected bent grass turf usually in a ring pattern. As the disease progressed weeds and resistant grasses may invade the infected area of the turf.

Initially the patches the patches may measureonly  a few centimetres across, however at they can increase to over a metre in diameter as the severity increases.

Conditions that favour Take-all patch

• A high percentage of bent grass in the sward
• Newly constructed sand/USGA golf greens which are relatively sterile and have had insufficient time to build up a healthy population of micro organisms.
• Root zones that are alkaline and especially where there has been a sudden rise in the pH.
• An excessive thatch layer.
• Poor surface drainage.
• A lack of adequate nutrition.

Preventing and curing Take-all patch

• Encourage a healthy sward with good lawn care practices and maintain good turf vigour by applying adequate nutrition.
• Ensure good surface drainage with regular aeration to remove surface water to encourage a dry turf surface.
• Avoid applying products and materials that are alkaline (high pH) or have a high lime content.
• Control thatch build up with scarification and aeration.
• Applying materials that acidify the lawn surface such as lawn sand, sulphate of ammonia and iron may help prevent an outbreak or reduce the severity of the disease if it is already present.
• A fungicide can be applied for the control of Take-all patch, at present the only people allowed to apply fungicides are turf professionals and lawn specialists with the relevant pesticide application certificates. The best fungicide for the control of this disease is Heritage (azoxystrobin).

Fusarium Patch Disease (Microdochium nivale)

This is arguably one of the most common and damaging of the cool season diseases. Although it can occur at any time of the year it is more common during the cooler autumn and winter months in the UK.

Fusarium patch is more troublesome on closely mown turf such as golf & bowling greens. Although most types of grass species are susceptible, annual meadow grass (Poa annua) dominated swards are very prone to attack.

Identifying Fusarium Patch

The first signs of infection are small 10 - 20mm water soaked orange - brown patches. In the right conditions these patches will rapidly increase in size up to 300mm in diameter. 

As the severity increases the patches can join together causing extensive damage. Sometimes (early morning when there is a heavy dew) white cobweb like structures can be seen on the infected area. These white structures are known as mycelium.

If the disease is not controlled then the whole plant may die, leaving unsightly scars in the turf that will not properly recover until spring time with the onset of growth.

Favourable conditions for Fusarium Patch

• Cool and damp soil conditions typically associated with the autumn and winter periods.
• Excess levels of nitrogen caused by applying high nitrogen feed during the late summer early autumn period will increase the risk of a disease outbreak.
• An sheltered or shaded areas that lack air movement and sunlight will be more prone to attack.
• Areas of turf that contain a high percentage of Annual meadow grass (Poa Annua) will be very susceptible to Fusarium Patch.
• Surface alkalinity (high pH) caused by applying materials such as lime will increase the risk of Fusarium.
• A wet rootzone caused by poor drainage or an excessive thatch layer will only encourage dampness in the base of the sward, thus increasing an outbreak.

Preventing and controlling Fusarium Patch

• Avoid applying applications of fertilizer with high nitrogen inputs late in the growing season. Apply a fertilizer with high levels of phosphate and potash. These nutrients (especially potash) are essential for good winter turf hardness and will help against disease.
• Routine mechanical operations such as scarifying and aeration will help control the thatch layer, relieve soil compaction and encourage a dry surface.
• Removing early morning dews to help promote a dry surface will help reduce the risk of a disease outbreak. Removing or pruning back any tree branches or vegetation will encourage airflow and increase available sunlight to help keep the turf drier.
• If possible reduce the percentage of annual meadow grass in the sward by encouraging grass species such as bent and fescue with good turf management techniques.
• Fungicides are available to turf professionals such as golf greenkeepers for the control of Fusarium patch. 

Turf Diseases

What is a turf disease

The definition of a turf disease is anything that has a negative effect on the health of the grass plant.

There are many different types of fungal diseases that can cause problems in lawns and turf. Most types of lawns and grasses can be infected by disease, although closely mown fine turf is generally more susceptible.

Some turf disease are more active in the winter months, while some are confined to the growing months. They can be encouraged by many things such as high soil moisture, high and low temperatures, incorrect management techniques to name a few.

For a disease to become active in turf 3 main factors must be present for it to infect the grass plant. These are as follows:

• The soil pathogens - These are the fungi or bacteria that is present in the soil that cause the disease. They are often present in the soil or thatch and will become active when the environmental conditions are favourable for a disease out break. The pathogens can also be inherited from other lawns or areas of turf such as playgrounds, parks and sports fields.

• Environmental factors - The climate plays a big part in disease development as factors such as soil temperature and moisture content can often trigger an outbreak of disease. However these are for the most part out of our control.

• The host or grass species - Some grass species are more susceptible to various diseases than others, while some are more resistant to different diseases. For example; Annual meadow grass is very susceptible to Fusarium Patch, Bent grass is susceptible to Take-all patch and Ryegrass and Fescue are susceptible to Red Tread.

Common lawn and turf diseases

The most common diseases in the UK are:

Fusarium Patch

Red Thread

Anthracnose

Take-all Patch

Dollar Spot

Fairy Rings

Dry Patch

Brown patch

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