Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/285789
A P R I L 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 41 chemical care I f your turf isn't responding to fungicides, it could be that you have 99 problems, but turf disease isn't one of them. Turf disease is not the most common problem for residen- tial and commercial properties, which could be why it ranks as one of the most misdiagnosed problems. There are other more com- mon turf problems that are often mistaken for turf disease, and they can easily lure you down the trail to mistaken identity. You should be careful that you aren't lulled into erring in the other direction, either. Turf disease is a very real problem, even on landscape turf. If you think you have a disease problem and it's not re- sponding to fungicides, it's time to troubleshoot. Get a second opinion, reconsider the product you're using and closely exam- ine your application methods. Following these steps should reveal the real trouble with turf. Close won't cut it The No. 1 reason a fungicide management program isn't ef- fective: Disease isn't really the problem. "Most likely, the disease you are trying to manage has not been properly diagnosed. If your fungicide program is not work- ing, you should contact your nearest turfgrass pathologist and get an appropriate diagnosis," says Jim Kerns, Ph.D., assistant professor and extension special- ist for turfgrass pathology at North Carolina State University. "We rarely see massive disease issues in landscape turf. It's more likely some abiotic is a problem, like soil type, fertility, etc." If a turf problem comes on suddenly, is widespread and severe, that's a clue that some- thing other than turf disease is causing it and should prompt you to explore other options, Fungicides Take the Fall BRUCE WATT, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, BUGWOOD.ORG Red thread is one of the most common fungal diseases found on resi- dential lawns. Your biggest turf problem could be a case of mistaken identity. BY CINDY RATCLIFF