Problem: Anthracnose Basal Rot
Host Grass: Types Annual meadow grass (Poa annua)
Symptoms: Youngest leaf red, black

Conditions that can favour the development of the disease

• Environmental stress is the main driver for the development of this disease
• Drought stress
• Generally poor growing conditions (shade and poor drainage)
• Aggressive maintenance – such as excessively low mowing or intensive verticutting
• Compacted soil conditions

Management strategy to reduce the likelihood of attack

• Maintain turf health with sufficient nutrient inputs, especially towards the end of the growing season
• The use of slow release fertilizer late in the season can help maintain nutrient availability and turf health going into autumn
• Avoid excessively low heights of cut, especially as growth declines in the autumn
• Minimise damaging treatments (e.g. verticutting) especially during periods of stress
• Aerate to relieve soil compaction and improve soil oxygen levels
• Work to minimise Poa annua population in sward through overseeding and with an appropriate long-term maintenance strategy
• Irrigate in the morning to minimise long periods of leaf wetness overnight
• Use penetrant wetting agent to move water through the upper soil profile and keep the surface and turf base dry
• Use fungicides as part of your iTurf programme and be aware of the risk of causing resistance to one chemical group by its regular use

Treating Anthracnose with fungicide
Outbreaks of Anthracnose can be extremely damaging. Affected turf should be treated with fungicide to prevent disruption to playing surfaces, especially during the autumn. Once disease reaches the basal rot stage, fungicides will no longer control the disease but should be applied to prevent further attack.
Tank mixing fungicide with liquid fertilizer can hasten recovery.

Approved fungicides for the control of Anthracnose are:

• Heritage
• HeritageMaxx
• BannerMaxx
• Instrata
• MedaillonTL
• Headway