Turf - Watch for Brown Patch

Although Northern Delaware has been dry, many areas of Southern Delaware have been moist with weekly thundershowers. Rain, heat, and humidity set up conditions for brown patch in turf. The following is information on this common turf disease in Delaware.

Brown patch may become very active now after ther rain and humidity in parts of southern Delaware. This disease, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, will likely start showing up soon. To reduce the incidence and severity of brown patch for golf courses and other highly managed turf, avoid large applications of quick release nitrogen sources (e.g., not more than ¼ lb actual N/1000 sq. ft) during hot weather, irrigate between midnight and 8 a.m. to minimize the leaf wetness period, and spray turf now with Armada,, Chipco 26GT, chlorothalonil, Compass, ConSyst, Curalan, Eagle, Endorse, Headway, Heritage, Insignia, mancozeb, Medallion, Prostar, Spectro, Tartan, thiophanate-methyl, or Touche per manufacturer's recommendations. Homeowners should avoid summer applications of nitrogen. For most residential situations, brown patch causes a blight of the leaves but does not kill the plants and the lawn recovers when the weather changes.



Information from Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist, UD.