Problem: Anthracnose Foliar Blight
Host Grass: Types All grass species
Symptoms: Leaves and shoots discolour, appearance of drought stress or mild scorch
Conditions that can favour the development of the disease
- It is favoured by stressful conditions such as low fertility, high temperature stress, low mowing height, poor soil drainage, compaction, and heavy traffic
- Disease development is favoured by high humidity, shade, and any condition that allows excess water to remain in the leaf canopy. Conidia (spores) can be spread by wind, water, or machinery
- Ultra-low mowing (below 3 mm), intensive mowing and verticutting increase the risk of attack.
Management strategy to reduce the likelihood of attack
- Maintain turf health with sufficient nutrient input
- The use of slow release fertilizer late in the season can help maintain nutrient availability
- Avoid excessively low heights of cut
- Minimise overly 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 dominance in sward through overseeding and 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 dry
- Use fungicides as part of your iTurf programme and be aware 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.
Appropriate supporting ranges for the maintenance of healthy turf:
- SierraformGT
- Greenmaster Pro-Lite
- Greenmaster Liquid
- H2Pro
