How to Treat Turfgrass Diseases
Introduction
Turfgrass is any grass that is grown to form turf. It is used by people all over the world due to its good uniformity and the fact that it is easy to take care of. The turfgrass has a number of unique features that differentiate it from other types of grass. These unique features include;
- its youngest unexpanded leaf is usually folded or rolled
- its leaf blade has ligule that appear like straight hair stickings and is of any length
- it has ear like appendages at the grass shafts
Just like all plants, turfgrass is exposed to many different types of diseases that are caused by different factors. The problem with the turfgrass diseases is that they are not easy to distinguish hence difficult to diagnose and sometimes even to treat. The following are guidelines of how to prevent and treat such turfgrass diseases that may attack your yard.
Step 1
Proper fertilizing
Proper fertilization helps to keep turfgrass healthy and resistant to turfgrass diseases. Choose a good fertilizer that is customized for climatic conditions of your area. Do not go for the cheap fast release nitrogen fertilizers as they sometimes brown patch turfgrass disease. Using a fertilizer that contains nitrogen excessively will cause excessive top growth that makes the turfgrass highly prone to turfgrass diseases. Use a fertilizing table when fertilizing and a fertilizer that contains fungus control to prevent turfgrass diseases.
Step 2
Aeration
Conducting regular aerations like once a year to your turfgrass will prevent turfgrass diseases greatly. Pulling up soil plugs and thatch from the turfgrass creates room for air circulation, proper watering and fertilizing. Thick thatch and squashed soil are the main causes of turfgrass diseases.
Step 3
Proper watering and drainage
The manner in which you water the turfgrass can have a great influence on its health. Proper turf watering involves deep watering that should be done in the morning so as to allow the roots to be deep and firm. Watering at night will increase the chances of turfgrass diseases attacking as they like dark moist conditions. Stagnant water and polls in your yard will be a good cause of the turfgrass diseases as it provides good breeding grounds for turfgrass disease causing agents. Make sure your yard has a good drainage system.
Step 4
Mowing
Proper mowing should be high so as to protect the turfgrass stem from the sun during summer and to protect the food producing part of the turfgrass that is situated near the top. The mower blade should be very sharp to avoid shredding of the turfgrass tips that will provide easy entry for the turfgrass diseases causing spores. After mowing, make sure you bag the clippings and wash the mower thoroughly with clean water. This will prevent the spread of turftgrass diseases through the spores that may cling on the mower blades.
Step 5
Use of fungicides
Fungicides are used to treat the turfgrass diseases. There are many different types of turf grass diseases and it is therefore important to identify the disease affecting the turfgrass before purchasing fungicides. Always make sure you use mild and right fungicides that will not damage good insects and organisms in your yard. Following instructions will help to prevent environmental damage and diseases that may result from overuse of a fungicide.
Tips
- Treating turfgrass diseases will require right identification of the disease and proper selection of the fungicides to use.
- Some turfgrass diseases are temporary and tend to correct themselves.
- Some turfgrass diseases cannot be treated and so the grass has to be destroyed or left to die on its own.
- Good maintenance of the grass is the best way to fight diseases.
