Causal organism:
Drechslera Spp, Bipolaris Spp, Curvularia Spp
| Problem |
Leaf Spot |
| Host Grass Types |
Mainly prevalent on Ryegrass (Lolium Spp), but can also be found on Fescue (Festuca Spp) and Bent (Agrostis Spp). |
| Symptons |
Curvularia – Mottled yellow green descending from leaf tip, red/brown margin. No lesions on Agrostis and more tan than brown. Dreschlera and Bipolaris – On Poa, lesions red/brown to purple/black. On Lolium, brown spots enlarge to lesions with grey centre and brown margin. On Agrostis, small red brown lesions that coalesce to cover the leaf – can look like drought stress |
Conditions that can favour the development of the disease
- Can occur during warmer seasons but can also affect the turf as growth tails off in the autumn
- High humidity and drought conditions
- Wet foliage
- High shade levels
- Conditions typical of a stadium environment
- Moves across the surface on water film
Management strategy to reduce the likelihood of attack
- Minimise leaf surface wetness
- Increase airflow across the turf surface
- Balanced nutrition can promote the production of healthier turf that is more resistant to disease attack
- Remove excess thatch as part of an integrated programme
- Establish resistant cultivars
- Raising the height of cut can help reduce the likelihood of attack, especially in shaded environments
- Use fungicides as part of your iTurf programme and be aware of causing resistance to one chemical group by its regular use
Treating Leaf Spot with fungicide
Ensure you achieve good coverage by using the correct nozzles. The Syngenta XC Turf Nozzles have been engineered to achieve an improved coverage with reduced drift compared to flat fan type nozzles. The Foliar XC 04 is recommended for foliar fungicide applications.
Appropriate fungicides for the control of Leaf Spot are:
- Heritage
- HeritageMaxx
- MedallionTL
- Headway
Preventative Strategy (Guidance Only)
Curative Programme (Guidance Only)
