Fusarium Patch Disease
The disease is noticeable as areas of yellow- brown grass, which do not hold the dew. It is usually found in autumn, but can occur at other times of the year. Under suitable conditions, a whitish mould develops on the affected grass. To confirm identification, cover a brown patch overnight and inspect. The growth of mould indicates that the disease is present and should be treated.
The disease usually appears in humid weather and it is worth ‘looking out for it regularly, from mid-September onwards. Later infections are made worse by long periods of snow cover, which provide the fungus with the relatively mild, close conditions, which it needs to grow. The fungus is a waterborne fungus and can attack at anytime during the year, during long periods of rain and cloud, sunshine and frost will normally kill or prevent Fusarium forming.
Most turf areas contain spores of the Fusarium, fungus (Microdochium [Fusarium] nivale), which will cause the above symptoms if conditions are suitable for its development. Some grasses are more susceptible than others, and growing a mixture of grasses, as in our turf, limits the damage that can be caused. All our fields have a preventative spray applied when conditions require, and we do endeavor to have the turf Fusarium free on arrival. But do inform us if symptoms develop within a week of laying.
Fusarium can be controlled with fungicides this needs to be applied quickly as the disease spreads rapidly, check with the garden centre or chemical manufacturers for the current best chemicals available. To help minimise attack us a traditional autumn fertiliser with low nitrogen content to strengthen the plant. Because the disease is worse in enclosed areas prune trees and shrubs to maximise airflow and increase the light into the area