Grass dying. Fungus? - Ask Extension
Just started getting serious about my lawn a couple months ago. Been battling gray leaf spot and nearly have that under control (applied azoxystrobin,...
Knowledgebase
Grass dying. Fungus? #761660
Asked July 14, 2021, 9:25 AM EDT
Just started getting serious about my lawn a couple months ago. Been battling gray leaf spot and nearly have that under control (applied azoxystrobin, propiconazole, and thiophanate-methyl a couple times). I am seeing dying grass in a spot that had issues last year but didn’t know enough to research last year. I’ve applied GrubEx and Biden LP a few weeks ago, I don’t see any critters when I dig into the soil. I’m thinking maybe TARR but don’t know how to confirm. Attaching pictures of a stolon that I think may help. Any help identifying or different treatment method would be greatly appreciated.
Montgomery County Texas
Expert Response
Thanks for the submission. If you have seen this issue in the past.. around this time of year.... then it is likely Take All Root Rot. What fertilizer do you use and when was it applied? Thanks in advance. MP
Last year I threw down one app of a weed and feed, hated moving the sprinkler to water it in and decided to not do much else besides mow until sprinklers were fixed. I did another round of weed and feed on May 11, right when sprinklers were fixed and then I started watching YouTube videos wanting to be a little more precise. I put down the Yard Mastery Flagship fert on June 17 along with a couple applications of N-Ext bio stimulants (RGS, Humic 12, and MicroGreene if you’re familiar). Should I wait for my next fert application or get it in right away? My plan was to wait until things dried up a bit and clear for a few days so I could control how much water and minimize runoff.
Matt Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 14, 2021, at 11:11 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Weed n feed is not a good practice in our area. Many of the products included damage or slow down the growth of the turfgrass.
I would suggest getting a soil test first before you do any more fertilization. This will be the precise way to identify the fertilizer needed for your lawn. A soil test will reveal exactly the nutrients needed. http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/urbansoil.pdf
or you can stop by our office and pick up the forms and soil sample bag.
Take All Root Rot(TARR). Nothing will help it immediately. The idea is to reduce the fungus while increasing the health of the turfgrass. Discontinue using any fungicide products. Fungicides are better at preventative than curative. Make sure not to fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizers. (when you have fugus….it is like throwing gasoline on a fire) The best treatment for TARR is sphagnum peat moss. It is finely ground and almost a dust. It should be applied at 1/8” in and around the affected areas. This can be done now and again in the spring (April). The acid from the peat moss will reduce the fungus. This may need to be done for 2 seasons in order to give the turfgrass a chance to recover.
I would suggest getting a soil test first before you do any more fertilization. This will be the precise way to identify the fertilizer needed for your lawn. A soil test will reveal exactly the nutrients needed. http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/urbansoil.pdf
or you can stop by our office and pick up the forms and soil sample bag.
Take All Root Rot(TARR). Nothing will help it immediately. The idea is to reduce the fungus while increasing the health of the turfgrass. Discontinue using any fungicide products. Fungicides are better at preventative than curative. Make sure not to fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizers. (when you have fugus….it is like throwing gasoline on a fire) The best treatment for TARR is sphagnum peat moss. It is finely ground and almost a dust. It should be applied at 1/8” in and around the affected areas. This can be done now and again in the spring (April). The acid from the peat moss will reduce the fungus. This may need to be done for 2 seasons in order to give the turfgrass a chance to recover.
Attached picture of what I was working on for the last month or so that’s nearly gone. Obviously what I seem to be dealing with now is different.
As far as fertilizing goes, what I used last time(Yard Mastery Flagship) recommended 3lbs/1k sqft of product that’s 24-0-6. 25% of that nitrogen is slow release and that’s what I put down. Comes out to .72 lbs of N per 1k sqft and .18 is slow release. I also have their “stress blend” that is also 3lbs/1k that is 7-0-20. So much lower nitrogen content (25% slow release again). Is flagship low enough N to not cause an issue, or should I switch to the stress blend with lower N and much higher potash, or completely refrain from any N (either before or after soil sample is returned)?
That is grey leaf spot.
I would be happy to discuss this further over a phone call. A few bits to think about.
The gradual decline of a lawn during this time of year is predominately TARR.
Leaf spots are typically either a rust or grey leaf spot.
One thing that it could also be is freeze damage. That can be determined by the time frame at which symptoms first started. Same as TARR. The first photos that you sent..... If you would like to bring grass samples to the office, I can put them under my microscope and tell you if it is indeed TARR. (10"x10" sample with roots.)
I do not comment on products. I do not sell products. A soil test will determine whether or not the products you have chosen are right for job.
I will be traveling starting tomorrow afternoon to a turf conference and will not be back into the office until next Thursday.
Given the photo and information, there is no easy short term fix.. I will be happy to help you with a proper management plan.
That would be amazing. I’ve watched probably 50+ hours of YouTube videos on lawn care the last two months so I’m hardly an expert. However, I am very interested to learn more about taking care of my lawn. I have learned a lot that has helped but trying to determine which advice is better when two people are giving conflicting information is difficult for me. My biggest lesson was that I came to this a little too late in the season to apply preventative measures.
I won’t be able to make it in tomorrow morning but would love to take a call and/or come in with some samples whenever you have some time available and talk through what I can do to turn it around. There are a number of other issues (weed control, what kills what weeds but won’t kill Floratam, bare spots, etc.). I really appreciate whatever time you can provide.
Matt Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 14, 2021, at 8:01 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
In the meantime, here are a few publications for you to look over. It looks like I should be available next Thursday and Friday. Also, July 26th, 27th of the following week.
You can always shoot me an email to <personal data hidden>..
MP
You can always shoot me an email to <personal data hidden>..
MP
