Envu Solutions – Brown Patch
Brown patch can be a severe foliar disease of almost every cool-season turfgrass grown for putting greens, fairways, tees, and roughs. This disease is caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Rhizoctonia diseases are perhaps the most widely recognized plant-pathogenic species across the globe and incites diseases on a wide host range including agricultural crops, trees, ornamental plants, and turfgrasses. The most susceptible grasses to infection include the bentgrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, and low-mown bluegrasses.
Brown patch management requires an integrated approach. Avoid excessive amounts of nitrogen; spoon-feeding nitrogen at low rates in the summer is recommended. Schedule irrigation at night from midnight to early morning to minimize periods of prolonged leaf wetness. Increase air movement by addressing excessive tree and shrub growth on the golf course. Installing fans in areas near golf greens where stagnant air is a problem can reduce brown patch pressure significantly.
Whenever possible, the mowing height should be adjusted higher because low mowing heights are associated with greater brown patch development. Core aerification will reduce thatch accumulation and this also helps to improve drainage. Avoidance of highly susceptible turf species, such as colonial bentgrass, is warranted in humid areas where brown patch is most problematic.
Preventive applications are more effective than curatives; brown patch causes disease quickly and significant injury to turf can occur prior to curative treatment. Additionally, all cool-season turfgrasses have poor recuperative potential during midsummer, a time when brown patch activity peaks. Preventive fungicides to target brown patch should begin late spring/early summer when low temperatures exceed 15 °C consecutively for two to three days.
There are a number of choices for controlling brown patch, and Envu solutions provide added control of other diseases that can be active at the same time. Mirage® Stressgard® provides broad-spectrum control of brown patch, anthracnose and dollar spot. Exteris® Stressgard® and 50 WG are great rotational choices for brown patch as well.
Fungicides with Stressgard® Formulation Technology can help reduce summer stress on turfgrass, increasing turfgrass recovery potential. Exteris® Stressgard® and Mirage® provide Stressgard benefits and fungicidal activity to directly control brown patch. Signature® XTRA Stressgard® tank-mixes can further promote plant health and reduce the effects of summer decline and stress.
No matter what kind of turf problems you’re up against, Envu has a full range of solutions to help you take control and maintain it.
For more information about brown patch, download the solution sheet or contact your local Territory Sales Manager for brown patch control strategies specific to your needs.
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