Brown Patch In Tall Fescue
Turn To Disease-Resistant Turfgrass To Combat Brown Patch
Posted in General by Curtis Williams
We are approaching the time of year when Brown Patch becomes an issue for turfgrass, especially in and above the Transition Zone, and along most coastal areas.
According to information from the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University, Brown Patch is most severe during extended periods of hot, humid weather. The disease can begin to develop when night temperatures exceed 60°F, but is most severe when low and high temperatures are above 70°F and 90°F, respectively. The turfgrass leaves must be continuously wet for at least 10 to 12 hours for the brown patch fungus to infect.
Though all cool season grasses can be impacted, Turf Type Tall Fescues are the most susceptible to brown patch, and that is why Turf Merchants is continuously infecting our next generation clones with the current strain of Rhizoctonia species fungus to keep our varieties up to date with state of the art resistance. This reduces the need for anti-fungals to control infection.
Traverse 2, Rhambler 2, as well as 3rd Millennium and 4th Millennium are all Turf Type Tall Fescues with improved Brown Patch resistance. As your customers face this summer of potentially hot and humid weather, help them plan for next year’s fight with turfgrass developed to help them.
Note: Photo credit: North Carolina State University