Turfgrass

Disease
Identification
Guide
for Golf
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TURFGRASS DISEASE IDENTIFICATION
Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi
Necrotic Ring Spot.......................................................... 4
Spring Dead Spot............................................................ 6
Summer Patch................................................................ 8
Take-all Patch............................................................... 10
Fairy Rings
Fairy Ring...................................................................... 12
Superficial Fairy Ring..................................................... 14
Mildew Diseases
Yellow Tuft (Downy Mildew)........................................... 16
Powdery Mildew............................................................ 18
Pythium Diseases
Pythium Blight............................................................... 20
Pythium Root Rot (Root Dysfunction)............................ 22
Rhizoctonia Diseases
Brown Patch, cool-season turf...................................... 24
Large Patch, warm-season turf..................................... 26
Rust and Smut Diseases
Rusts (Crown, Leaf, Stem, and Stripe).......................... 28
Stripe Smut................................................................... 30

Syngenta would like to acknowledge the following individuals

for their contribution to the development of this turf guide:
Pete Dernoeden, PhD, University of Maryland, and
Bruce Clarke, PhD, Rutgers University.

2
Snow Molds
Gray Snow Mold............................................................32
Microdochium Patch (Pink Snow Mold).........................34
Waitea Diseases
Brown Ring Patch......................................................... 36
Leaf & Sheath Spot/Mini Ring....................................... 38
Other Fungal Diseases
Anthracnose...................................................................40
Bentgrass Dead Spot.....................................................42
Dollar Spot.....................................................................44
Fusarium Patch (Microdochium Patch)..........................46
Gray Leaf Spot...............................................................48
Leaf Spot/Melting-Out...................................................50
Red Thread/Pink Patch..................................................52
Southern Blight.............................................................. 54
Yellow Patch/Cool Season Brown Patch..................... 56
Algae
Algae..............................................................................58

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Fungicide Efficacy Ratings........................................60–61
Renown® ......................................................................62
Headway® ......................................................................62
Instrata® ......................................................................... 62
Concert® II..................................................................... 62
Banner MAXX® II............................................................63
Daconil®......................................................................... 63
Heritage®........................................................................63
Medallion®......................................................................64
Subdue MAXX®..............................................................64
3
Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi

Necrotic Ring Spot

Causal Agent:
Ophiosphaerella korrae

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass, rough bluegrass,
fine-leaf fescue

Symptoms:
Necrotic ring spot first appears as small, light green spots
and progresses to thinned, circular patches that are yellow
to light-green in color and approximately 3 to 15 inches
in diameter. The patches, which can expand up to 3 feet
in diameter, even­tually turn brown or straw-colored and
die. The roots and rhizomes of the affected turfgrass
turn brown to black. Grass plants can survive and
recolonize the center of the patches, which leads to
a ring-like appearance.

Necrotic Ring Spot

4
 Necrotic Ring Spot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Necrotic ring spot initiates in moist soil, thrives in
temperatures of up to 80°F and becomes more severe
in higher temperatures and drought conditions. Seeded
sites, as well as sodded sites in newly cleared woodlands,
are susceptible to this disease. It is also found in areas
with compacted soil and that are high in nitrogen during
the spring and summer.

Management Tips:
• Raise mower height.
• Reduce soil compaction through aerification and use
of lightweight equipment.
• Use moderate to high amounts of phosphorous
and potash.
• Maintain adequate nitrogen and a balanced fertility.
• Minimize the amount of shade.
• Lightly irrigate (approximately 1/10 inch) in the
mid-afternoon on a daily basis to cool plants.
• Avoid drought stress.
• Top-dress and aerate turf as needed.
• Reduce thatch.
• Overseed with perennial ryegrass or more tolerant
bluegrass cultivars.
• Apply systemic fungicides on a preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CA, DE, KS, KY, MD, ME,

MO, NC, NE, NH, NV, NY, VA, VT, WV.

Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, ID, IL, IN, MA, MN,
NJ, OH, OR, PA, UT, WA, WI, WY.

Labeled products:

*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use

* of Renown® to control Necrotic Ring Spot. Please see the section
2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is
applicable in your state.

5
Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi

Spring Dead Spot

Causal Agent:
Ophiosphaerella korrae, Ophiosphaerella herpotricha, and
Ophiosphaerella narmari

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Bermudagrass and buffalograss

Symptoms:
Infected bermudagrass shows disease symptoms as it
emerges from winter dormancy. Spring dead spot appears
as bleached, straw-colored, circular patches that measure
up to several feet in diameter. The roots of affected plants
turn dark brown to black.

Spring Dead Spot

6
 Spring Dead Spot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Spring dead spot favors cool, wet weather in the spring
and fall and daily temperatures of less than 60°F in
November. This disease is typically found where thatch
is more than 1/2-inch thick and in locations with poor
drainage and low potash levels. Heavy applications of
nitrogen in late summer often increase disease severity
the following spring. Spring dead spot is more severe on
bermudagrass that is over three years old and in locations
with long dormancy and cold temperatures.

Management Tips:
• Avoid late summer or fall applications of nitrogen
fertilizers which may enhance disease severity.
• Use ammonium sources of nitrogen combined with
potassium for fertilizer from spring through early August.
• Control weeds in affected turf to enhance recovery from
spring dead spot.
• Apply moderate to high levels of phosphorous, potash,
and minor elements.
• Improve drainage of turf.
• Reduce thatch.
• Convert from common varieties to hybrid bermudagrass
with good winter hardiness.
• Use preventive fungicide applications in late September
or October.

Occasionally occurs in: AL, AZ, CA, GA, IL, IN, KY,
LA, MD, MO, MS, NM, NV, SC, SD, TX.

Frequently occurs in: AK, KS, NC, OK, TN, VA.

Labeled products:

7
Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi

Summer Patch
Causal Agent:
Magnaporthe poae

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and
fine-leaf fescue

Symptoms:
Summer patch appears as circular or irregularly shaped
patches that measure from several inches to several feet
in width. Initially, patches appear as slow-growing thinned
or wilted turfgrass. Mature patches are bronzish-yellow to
straw-colored and can coalesce as they increase in size.
The leaves of the plant turn yellow to brown from the tip to
the base. The roots turn moderate to dark brown. Summer
patch can exhibit a ring-like appearance where a less
sus­­ceptible grass species survives inside the diseased patch.

Summer Patch as seen from

10 feet (below) and 20 feet.

8
 Summer Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Root infection is initiated when soil temperatures exceed
65°F; however, foliar symptoms of summer patch are
favored by temperatures over 85°F during the day and
over 70°F at night. It is also commonly found in areas that
are sunny, exposed, and with high soil moisture, high soil
pH, compaction, poor drainage, and low mowing height.
This disease is typically more severe in turfgrass that has
been fertilized with nitrate-nitrogen.

Management Tips:
• Use acidifying fertilizers.
• Increase the height of cut.
• Reduce soil compaction through aerification and use
of lightweight equipment.
• Syringe when the temperature is over 85°F.
• Improve the drainage of the turf.
• Convert to resistant species, such as tall fescue,
bentgrass, or perennial rye.
• Apply effective fungicides preventively in early to late
spring. Do not expect 100% disease control.

Occasionally occurs in: AK, AL, AZ, CA, GA, KS, LA,
MA, MN, MO, MS, NC, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, SC, SD,
TN, TX, WA, WI.

Frequently occurs in: CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NE,
NJ, OH, PA, VA.

Labeled products:

*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown® to control Summer Patch.
Please see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

9
Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi

Take-all Patch
Causal Agent:
Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Bentgrass

Symptoms:
Take-all patch symptoms initially appear as small, circular
reddish-brown spot patches. Symptoms will progress to
wilted, circular patches that are brown or bronze-colored
and measure up to several feet in diameter. Symptoms are
most evident during periods of stress induced by hot, dry
weather. Infected plants have dark-brown roots.

Take-all Patch as seen from

10 feet (right) and 20 feet.

10
 Take-all Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Take-all patch is most common on newly established turf
and severity decreases as the turf stand matures. It will
occur on sites that have light textured soils, low organic
matter content, manganese deficiency, and pH above
6.5. Take-all patch typically occurs in cool, wet conditions
and in areas with a high soil pH—most severe at pH 6.5
or above. This disease is more severe on less fertile and
sandy soil.

Management Tips:
• Use acidifying fertilizers.
• Apply moderate to high levels of phosphorus, potash,
and minor elements where these nutrients are depleted
from the soil.
• Improve the drainage of the turf.
• Reduce thatch.
• Apply appropriate systemic fungicides in the early spring
after the first mowing and in the late summer or fall.

Occasionally occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IA,
KS, LA, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, SC,
SD, TN, TX, VT.

Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA,
MD, MI, MN, NJ, OH, OR, PA, RI, WA, WI, WV, WY, VA.

Labeled products:

*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown® to control Take-all Patch.
Please see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

11
Fairy Rings

Fairy Ring
Causal Agent:
Basidiomycetes of more than 50 species on native
soils can cause fairy ring symptoms; some of the more
common agents include: Agaricus campestris;
Chorophyllum molybdites; Collybis spp.; Hygrocybe spp.;
Lepiota spp.; Marasmius oreades; Bovista spp.;
Scleroderma spp.; Tricholoma spp.; Lycoperdon clitocybe;
Agrocybe spp.; Corprinus comatus; and other species.
Fungal species occurring on sand-based greens not as
diverse, Lycoperdon spp., however, is most common

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of warm- and cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
Fairy ring symptoms vary with causal agents and the
environment. Above-ground mushroom and puff ball
basidiocarps may or may not occur. Typically, turf
symptoms can appear as outer rings that are either dark-
green or brown in color. Sometimes the symptoms may
be hydrophobic rings or circular areas showing the first
signs of wilt. The shape and size of the rings vary depending
on the species and environmental conditions. Activity in the
turf may subside when the individual rings come in contact
with each other. Some causal agents form fruiting bodies
(i.e., mushrooms), but do not form rings. Conversely, other
causal agents will form rings, but not fruiting bodies. The
fungi that result in a fairy ring symptom may be confined
to the soil or the thatch area or both. Upon taking a soil
profile, an orange discoloration along the root zone may
be present with or without a strong mushroom odor.

12
 Fairy Ring

Fairy Ring

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Fairy rings typically occur when the turfgrass is most
actively growing. This disease can also occur on cool-
season turfgrass in mild winter climates. In warm climates,
fairy ring inhabiting bermudagrass turfgrass can decrease
over-seed germination and stands in these areas due to
hydrophobic areas limiting water availability for the
germinating seed.

Management Tips:
• Avoid using root zone mixes with high levels of
undecomposed organic materials.
• Reduce thatch by vertical cutting.
• Core aerify.
• Irrigate deeply.
• Use nitrogen fertilizer to mask symptoms on some
types of fairy ring.
• Use soil wetting agents/soil surfactants to help alleviate
hydrophobic soil conditions.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:
*
*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown® to control Fairy Ring. Please
see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

13
Fairy Rings

Superficial Fairy Ring

Causal Agent:
Coprinus kubickae, Melanotus phillipsii,
Trechispora alnicola, Trechispora cohaerens,
Trechispora farinacea, other species

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of warm- and cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
Symptoms vary depending on the type of superficial fairy
ring. This disease can cause patches with felted, white
mycelium. Sometimes the patch is sunken and has a ring
that measures approximately 1-inch wide at the border.
Also, the lower leaves on the turfgrass in the affected
areas can die.

Superficial Fairy Rings as seen from 10 feet

14
 Superficial Fairy Ring

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Superficial fairy ring is favored by the summer season for
cool-season turfgrass. For areas where warm-season
turfgrass is the principle turfgrass species and dormancy
is sporadic or doesn’t occur, superficial fairy ring can be
a common problem. While the patches typically disappear
in the cool seasons for cool-season turf or in the summer
for warm-season turf, they can remain if the turf is not
properly managed.

Management Tips:
• Maintain adequate fertilization to minimize symptoms.
• Reduce thatch by vertical cutting and aerifying.
• Topdress and cultivate turf to control mat and thatch.
•Improve soil drainage.
•Increase mowing height.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:

15
Mildew Diseases

Yellow Tuft (Downy Mildew)

Causal Agent:
Sclerophthora macrospora

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All turf

Symptoms:
Symptoms of yellow tuft vary depending on the grass
cultivar. On cool-season turfgrass, yellow tuft causes
circular patches that measure 1/4 to 4 inches in diameter.
The shoots become dwarfed and turn yellow in color.
Infected seedlings form individual clusters of dense shoots
that are yellow in color. The tufts of shoots originate from
a single node or terminal stem apex that is excessively
tillered with shortened roots. Yellow tuft will mimic annual
bluegrass plants in creeping bentgrass putting greens.
The individual tufted plants can be easily detached from
the soil surface using a knife. On St. Augustinegrass, the
disease is called downy mildew and causes white streaks
that are parallel to the leaf veins. The epidermis over the
streaks becomes raised and turns white in color. Excessive
tillering, however, does not occur in St. Augustinegrass,
but plants may be stunted.

Downy Mildew
16
 Yellow Tuft (Downy Mildew)

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Downy mildew initially occurs in wet, poorly drained areas
that are depressed. The disease typically infects cool-season
turf in early to late spring and mid- to late fall. It affects
St. Augustinegrass primarily during the humid weather of
summer and can be more severe in shaded areas.

Management Tips:
• Improve the soil drainage.
• Increase the air circulation.
• Use proper surface contours to minimize water
movement and accumulation on the turf’s surface.
•Avoid high or excessive levels of nitrogen that
result in lush growth.

Occasionally occurs in: AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, TX.

Frequently occurs in: AR, CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA,
MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA,
RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV.

Labeled products:

17
Mildew Diseases

Powdery Mildew
Causal Agent:
Erysiphe graminis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Kentucky bluegrass, fine-leaf fescue, bentgrass, ryegrass,
and bermudagrass

Symptoms:
The disease first appears on the leaves as individual tufts
of fine, white mycelium. The tufts enlarge and coalesce,
causing the leaves to have a grayish-white or powdery
appearance. Severely infected turf turns yellow, then tan
and brown in color. Stressed turf that is severely infected
can die. Severely infected turf, especially in shaded areas,
can become thinned.

Powdery Mildew

18
 Powdery Mildew

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Powdery mildew is favored by humid, cloudy weather
with temperatures between 60°F and 72°F. It occurs
in areas under stress, with low light, and with high
humidity. Powdery mildew is also common in areas
with poor air circulation, but does not require a film of
water to infect turf.

Management Tips:
• Water as needed to avoid drought stress.
• Avoid levels of nitrogen and irrigation that produce
lush leaf growth.
• Raise the mower height.
•Prune tree limbs to improve air circulation and the
amount of sunlight.
•Convert to a polystand of shade-adapted turfgrass.

Occasionally occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, LA,
MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA.

Frequently occurs in: CA, CO, CT, DE, OR, IA, ID, IL,
IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV,
NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Labeled products:

19
Pythium Diseases

Pythium Blight
Causal Agent:
Pythium aphanidermatum, other Pythium species

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All turfgrass species, especially annual bluegrass, perennial
ryegrass, bentgrasses, and tall fescue and bermudagrass

Symptoms:
Pythium blight appears suddenly during hot, humid
weather. This disease causes greasy, brown circular spots
that are initially about 3/4 inch to 2 inches in diameter and
then rapidly enlarge in size. The spots are water-soaked
and dark-colored early in the morning. They also form fluffy
white masses of fungal mycelium (cottony blight) and can
coalesce to form large, irregular areas of dead turf. Infected
patches may appear bronzish-orange in color.

Pythium Blight as seen up close

in early stages (right) and from
20 feet (below).

20
 Pythium Blight

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Pythium blight favors night temperatures of over 68°F.
It occurs in areas that experience more than 10 hours a
day of foliar wetness for several consecutive days. It is
found in the wettest areas of turf and in areas with poor
drainage and air circulation. Lush-growing turf growing
under nitrogen fertilization is particularly susceptible to
the disease.

Management Tips:
•A  void mowing wet turf when the foliar mycelium is
evident to minimize spreading the disease.
• Reduce thatch.
•A  pply less than 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 ft2
a month during hot weather.
•Increase air circulation to speed the drying process
of the turf.
•Minimize the amount of shade.
•Irrigate turf early in the day. Avoid late-day watering.
•Improve soil drainage.
•Irrigate turf deeply and as infrequently as possible.
• Apply contact and systemic fungicides on a
preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CA, CO, IA, IL, KS, ME, MI,
MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OR, SD, UT, VT, WA,
WI, WY.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN,
KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NM, NJ, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC,
TN, TX, VA, WV.

Labeled products:

* *Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown®

to control Pythium Blight. Please see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to
confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

21
Pythium Diseases

Pythium Root Rot

(Root Dysfunction)
Causal Agent:
Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium aristosporum,
Pythium graminicola, Pythium vanterpooli, other
Pythium species

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Species grown on putting greens, such as annual
bluegrass, bentgrass, and bermudagrass

Symptoms:
Pythium root rot is common on highly maintained turf, such
as golf course greens. Although symptoms of Pythium root
rot are typically nondistinctive, this disease can appear as
yellow, irregularly shaped patches. The affected turfgrass
is thin, off-color, and slow growing, while the root system
is stunted with reduced volume and vigor. Foliar mycelium
does not occur.

Pythium Root Rot

22
 Pythium Root Rot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Some Pythium species favor temperatures between 32°F
and 50°F while others thrive in temperatures between 70°F
and 90°F. Pythium root rot occurs in areas with high soil
moisture, poor drainage, and low light. It also infects
locations with low mowing height and excessive wear.

Management Tips:
• Increase the height of cut.
• Apply optimum amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous,
and potash.
•R  educe mowing frequency and use lightweight mowers.
• Avoid overwatering.
•A  pply low amounts of nitrogen in the spring when roots
are forming.
•Minimize the amount of shade.
•Improve the drainage of the turf.
• Reduce soil compaction.
• Apply systemic fungicides on a preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, ME, MI,
MO, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OR, SD, UT, VT, WA,
WI, WY.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN,
KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NM, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC,
TN, TX, VA, WV.

Labeled products:

* *Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown®

to control Pythium Root Rot. Please see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to
confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

23
Rhizoctonia Diseases

Brown Patch, cool-season turf

Causal Agent:
Brown Patch: Rhizoctonia solani

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
The symptoms of brown patch can vary depending on
the turfgrass cultivar, climatic and atmos­pheric conditions,
soil types and textures, and intensity of the turfgrass
management. This disease typically appears as rings or
patches of blighted turfgrass that measure 5 inches to
more than 10 feet in diameter. The pathogen also causes
leaf spots and “smoke rings”—thin, brown borders around
the diseased patches that appear most frequently in the
early morning. After the leaves die in the blighted area, new
leaves can emerge from the surviving crowns. On wide-
bladed species, leaf lesions develop with tan centers and
dark brown to black margins.

Brown Patch as seen up close (right)

and from 20 feet.

24
 Brown Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Brown patch is favored by high relative humidity as well
as temperatures of over 85°F during the day and over 60°F
at night. It occurs in areas that experience more than
10 hours a day of foliar wetness for several consecutive
days. Brown patch infestation is more severe when the
turf is cut to a height less than the optimum for that
turfgrass species.

Management Tips:
•U  se low to moderate amounts of nitrogen, moderate
amounts of phosphorous, and moderate to high
amounts of potash.
• Avoid fast-release nitrogen applications when the
disease is active.
• Increase the height of cut.
• Increase the air circulation.
• Minimize the amount of shade.
• Irrigate turf early in the day.
• Improve soil drainage.
• Reduce thatch.
• Remove dew from turf early in the day.
• For best results, use contact or systemic fungicides
to prevent brown patch.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:

25
Rhizoctonia Diseases

Large Patch, warm-season turf

Causal Agent:
Rhizoctonia solani

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Zoysiagrass and other warm-season turfgrasses

Symptoms:
Large patch (zoysia patch) appears as rings or patches of
blighted turfgrass that measure 5 inches to 10 feet or
more in diameter. Patches are brown to yellow in
appearance, with a possible “orange firing” at the periphery
of the patches. Small reddish-brown colored leaf spots
occur on leaf sheaths, stems, and stolons. After the leaves
die in the blighted area, new leaves can emerge from the
surviving crowns. If the turfgrass is still green, the disease is
most apparent down in the canopy, especially around the
leaf sheaths as discolored/blackened lesions—when pulled
lightly, these leaves detach very easily and are sometimes
green above the damaged sheath.

Zoysia Patch as seen from

10 feet (right) and 20 feet.

26
 Large Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

The symptoms of large patch can vary depending on the
turfgrass cultivar, or climatic and atmospheric conditions,
soil type and texture, and intensity of the turfgrass
management. This disease is favored by high relative
humidity, as well as temperatures of 50°F to 60°F at night
in late fall or early spring. Infection is most likely when soil
temperatures at a 2–4 inch depth decrease to 65°F. This
is the period to apply preventive fungicides. Large patch
infestation is more severe when the turf has high levels of
thatch or is fertilized with nitrogen late in the season.

Management Tips:
•M  aintain balanced fertility.
• Avoid nitrogen applications in the late fall through early
spring when the pathogen is active.
•Increase the air circulation.
•Avoid overwatering.
•Improve soil drainage.
•Reduce thatch.
• For best results, apply contact or systemic fungicides at
no less than 2 gal/1,000 ft2 to prevent large patch.

Occasionally occurs in: DE, IN, KS, KY, MO, MD, VA, WV.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, LA, MS,
NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX.

Labeled products:

27
Rust and Smut Diseases

Rusts: Crown, Leaf, Stem,

and Stripe
Causal Agent:
Crown—Puccinia coronata; Leaf—Uromyces dactylidis;
Stem (Black)—Puccinia graminis;
Stripe (Yellow)—Puccinnia striiformis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass, ryegrass,
old bentgrass cultivars, zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and
tall and fine fescue

Symptoms:
Rust diseases cause light yellow flecks initially on the leaf
blades and sheaths. The flecks enlarge, elongate, and turn
yellow in color. The infected areas rise above the epidermis
and then rupture, releasing spores that are yellowish-
orange to reddish-brown in color. The leaf blade turns
yellow starting at the tip and progressing to the base
sheath. A severe disease infection can cause the shoot
to turn yellowish to reddish-brown in color and slow in
growth. The turf may appear thin as individual shoots die.
Stem Rust

Rust disease from 10 feet.

28
 Rusts: Crown, Leaf, Stem, and Stripe

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Rust diseases typically occur in early spring through fall,
depending on the location of the turf. Rusts favor moist,
low-light areas. Depending on the species, rusts favor
temperatures between 65°F and 86°F. Severe rust
infections occur on slow-growing turfgrass, particularly
those with low nitrogen levels and/or plant water stress.

Management Tips:
•C  onvert to a turfgrass species or cultivar (especially for
Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass) that are
resistant to rust diseases found in the area.
• Apply adequate levels of nitrogen.
• Remove clippings from turf.
•Reduce thatch.
•Reduce shade and improve air circulation.
•R egulate irrigation to minimize the amount of time
moisture remains on the leaf surface. Water deeply
and infrequently.
•U se systemic fungicides to control rust diseases
on slow-growing grasses and to grasses that are
not mowed.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:

29
Rust and Smut Diseases

Stripe Smut
Causal Agent:
Ustilago striiformis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Annual bluegrass and certain varieties of Kentucky
bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and bentgrass

Symptoms:
Plants are stunted and may appear light green or yellow.
Leaf blades are stiff, erect and sheaths develop narrow,
elongated streaks that are yellowish-green in color. The
leaf blade then curls and forms parallel stripes that are
gray to black in color and extend the length of the leaf.
Infected older leaves will shred, twist, and split, starting
at the tips and progressing downward. Infected areas
may be concentrated in large areas or scattered across
the turf. Eventually, the root growth and tillering of the
turf are reduced.

Stripe Smut

30
 Stripe Smut

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Stripe smut favors temperatures between 50°F and 60°F,
typically in the spring and fall. Hot, dry weather and
improper fertilization accelerates the disease in older turf.

Management Tips:
•C  onvert to a turfgrass species or cultivar (especially in
Kentucky bluegrass) that is resistant to stripe smut.
• Avoid high levels of nitrogen, especially during
the summer.
• Maintain a balanced fertility level.
• Irrigate as needed to prevent drought stress.

Occasionally occurs in: AR, CA, DE, KS, KY, MD, MO,
NV, OK, TN, VA.

Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI,
MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT,
VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Labeled products:

31
Snow Molds

Gray Snow Mold (Typhula Blight)

Causal Agent:
Typhula incarnata, Typhula ishikariensis, Typhula idahoenis,
and Typhula canadensis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
The symptoms of gray snow mold are evident after snow
melts. It causes patches that are light brown, gray, or
straw-colored and that measure less than 10 inches in
diameter. The patches can increase to several feet and
coalesce. Rust-, brown-, or black-colored sclerotia also
appear on the infected leaves.

Gray Snow Mold as seen from

10 feet (right) and 20 feet.

32
 Gray Snow Mold

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Snow cover usually is necessary for this disease to cause
damage. Gray snow mold is most severe when snow cover
lasts more than 90 days.

Management Tips:
• Mow turf regularly until dormancy.
•A  void heavy applications of water-soluble nitrogen
sources in late fall prior to dormancy.
•Prevent excess snow from accumulating by using shrubs,
windbreaks, or a snow fence.
•Prevent snow compaction on the turf.
• Remove snow from turf in the spring.
• Lightly fertilize turf in early spring to encourage
new growth.
• In the fall, use fungicides prior to snow cover, and
in late winter, use them to promote a quick spring
recovery if snow cover melts or is removed.

Occasionally occurs in: CA, DE, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO,
NC, NV, OR, TN, VA, WV.

Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, IA, ID, MA, ME, MI, MN,
MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VT, WA, WI, WY.

Labeled products:

*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Concert® II and Renown® to control
Gray Snow Mold. Please see the specific section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation
is applicable in your state.

33
Snow Molds

Microdochium Patch
(Pink Snow Mold)
Causal Agent:
Microdochium nivale

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Most species of cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
Pink snow mold causes water-soaked patches that are
yellow, tan, or salmon-colored and that measure 1 to
8 inches or more in diameter. The patches, which can
coalesce, are pale pink around the edges. Spores are
produced in white or salmon-colored sporodochia that
are found on the dead tissue. Blighting can occur in
streaks from spores tracking on the equipment wheels.

Microdochium Patch

34
 Microdochium Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Pink snow mold favors temperatures of less than 60°F.
It is more severe where snow has fallen on unfrozen soil or
in cold, rainy weather. Microdochium nivale is commonly
called Fusarium patch (see page 46) in the absence of
snow cover—but the causal organism is the same.
Management Tips:
• Regularly mow turf until dormancy.
•A  void heavy applications of water-soluble nitrogen
sources in late fall prior to dormancy.
•Maintain balanced fertility.
• Avoid using lime. Alkaline soils enhance
disease development.
•Reduce thatch.
•P revent excess snow from accumulating by using
shrubs, windbreaks, or snow fences.
•A  pply contact and/or systemic fungicides in the fall
and reapply during periods of no snow cover.
•S hade and leaf wetness are also key factors in
disease severity.
Occasionally occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, GA, NC, NM,
OK, TN, TX, VA.
Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA,
MD, ME, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR,
PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.
Labeled products:

*
*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown® to control Microdochium Patch.
Please see the section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

35
Waitea Diseases

Brown Ring Patch

Causal Agent:
Waitea circinata var. circinata/Chrysorhiza circinata
(formerly Rhizoctonia circinata)

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Annual bluegrass (Poa annua), Roughstalk Bluegrass
(Poa trivialis), and creeping Bentgrass

Symptoms:
Yellow regular to irregular rings that may become necrotic
from a few inches to a foot or more in diameter. Rings are
more often brown versus yellow on creeping Bentgrass.
Infection can occur within a temperature range of 60 to 85°F
with an optimal range of 75 to 80°F. Continuing infection
can degrade thatch resulting in sunken rings. Greenish color
can be greater inside the affected yellow rings similar to fairy
ring. Can be easily confused with yellow patch (cool weather
brown patch), but is more tolerant of higher temperatures.
Recovery following curative fungicide applications can be
slow. The pathogen can colonize the upper root zone and
soil in addition to the thatch similar to fairy ring. Can cause
thinning or irregular establishment of creeping Bentgrass and
Poa trivialis in situations of overseeding of bermudagrass or
other warm-season turfgrasses.

Brown Ring Patch

36
 Brown RIng Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Moderate temperatures for extended periods within 60 to
85°F range. Use of some fungicides, such as thiophanate-
methyl (TM) have no effect on brown ring patch, so
disease may persist with slow recovery following fungicide
applications of TM. Infection is more common under dry
conditions when compared to the brown patch disease
which is more prevalent under wet, water-logged conditions.
Also, unlike brown patch, elevated nitrogen fertility does not
increase brown ring patch severity, but can help alleviate
disease symptoms. As such, brown ring patch is more
common in low-nitrogen fertility situations.
Management Tips:
• Raise mower height.
• Reduce soil compaction through aerification and use of
lightweight equipment.
• Maintain adequate nitrogen and a balanced fertility.
• Avoid drought stress.
• Top-dress and aerate turf, as needed.
• Thatch management—avoid thatch accumulation.
• Avoid use of thiophanate-methyl or other benzimidazoles.
• Apply systemic fungicides on a preventive basis only.
Occurs in: CA, NV, WA, OR, OH, VA, FL, ID, UT, MI, ME,
NY, PA, NH, CT, and other states.
Labeled products*:

*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of each of these products to control
Brown Ring Patch. Please see the specific section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation
is applicable in your state.

Left photo courtesy Turfgrass Disease Solutions, LLC.

Right photo courtesy S. Kammerer, University of Florida

37
Waitea Diseases

Leaf & Sheath Spot/Mini Ring

Causal Agent:
Waitea circinata var. zeae/Chrysorhiza zeae
(formerly Rhizoctonia zeae) and/or
Waitea circinata var. oryzae/Chrysorhiza oryzae

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of warm- and cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
The symptoms of leaf and sheath spot can vary dramatically
depending on the grass cultivar, climatic and atmospheric
conditions, soil, and intensity of the turfgrass management.
This disease typically causes thinned areas resembling
scalped areas or semi-circular thinned rings in warm-season
turfgrass and can be commonly confused with fairy ring or
hydrophobic areas. In cool-season turfgrass, small patches
of blighted turfgrass that measure 5 inches or more in
diameter may exist in conjunction with brown patch. The
disease can often have a darker red/orange hue to the
infected turfgrass. Leaf spots may, but oftentimes do not,
occur. These thin areas can also be slower to respond
to fungicides as the disease is most active at high
temperatures which can impede turfgrass re-growth.
Leaf and sheath spot

38
 Leaf & Sheath Spot/Mini Ring

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Symptoms of leaf and sheath spot do not occur as fast
as with brown patch or large patch (R. solani), nor do
they occur in the same conditions. Infection is most f
avored by high canopy temperatures of 83°–97°F. This
disease can be quite active in the heat of the summer
when temperatures in the turfgrass canopy exceed the
100°F range. Turfgrass that is stressed from drought and
over-reliance on irrigation with poor quality water high in
carbonates and salinity is more subject to infection. This
can be a seemingly hot, dry weather disease as humidity
or moisture within the crown is all that is necessary
for infection.
Management Tips:
• Maintain or apply nitrogen if levels are low.
• Increase the height of cut on greens, especially during
drought conditions.
• Increase the air circulation.
• Irrigate turf early in the day.
• Manage or leach salts periodically with heavy
irrigation events.
• Reduce thatch.
• Use fans when practical to improve air flow and lower
canopy temperatures.
• For best results, use contact or systemic fungicides to
prevent brown patch.
• For curative control, use systemic fungicides at water
volumes no less than 2 gal/1,000 ft2.
Frequently occurs in: All states.
Labeled products:

* *
*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Banner MAXX ®
II and Medallion to
®

control Leaf & Sheath Spot/Mini Ring. Please see the specific section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that
the recommendation is applicable in your state.
39
Other Fungal Diseases

Anthracnose
Causal Agent:
Colletotrichum cereale
(formerly Colletotrichum graminicola)

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass

Symptoms:
Anthracnose is most destructive during warm weather.
It causes irregularly shaped patches that are yellow to
brown in color. Leaf lesions that are yellow with black
centers may also occur. Anthracnose also causes a
basal stem rot from late winter to fall. Infected shoots
are easily detached. The dead foliage and stems also
become covered with acervuli—tiny, spined, black
fruiting bodies—that require magnification to identify.

Anthracnose as seen up close

(right) and from 20 feet.

40
 Anthracnose

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Anthracnose favors temperatures over 78°F. It occurs in
areas that experience more than 10 hours a day of leaf
wetness for several consecutive days. Conditions that
stress turfgrass plants, such as soil compaction, poor
drainage, low mowing height, and low amounts of nitrogen
fertility also contribute to this disease.

Management Tips:
• Increase the height of cut.
• Minimize stress by using walk-behind mowers.
• Decrease
 the amount of foot traffic.
• Maintain adequate nitrogen and a balanced fertility level.
• Irrigate the turfgrass just enough to prevent wilting.
• Do not core aerate while disease symptoms are present.
• Core aerate and overseed in the fall.
• Convert from annual bluegrass to less susceptible
varieties of turfgrass in the fairways.
• Make preventive fungicide applications where the
disease is a chronic problem.

Occasionally occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA,
IA, ID, LA, ME, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV,
NY, OR, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WY.

Frequently occurs in: CT, DE, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD,
MI, MO, NJ, OK, PA, RI, TN, VA, WV.

Labeled products:

41
Other Fungal Diseases

Bentgrass Dead Spot

Causal Agent:
Ophiosphaerella agrostis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass

Symptoms:
Bentgrass dead spot begins as small, sunken reddish-
brown or orange-rust spots about 1/2 inch in width,
growing to about 3–4 inches. Typically, there’s some
tan tissue in the center and reddish-brown leaves at the
edges, possibly developing a green center if left untreated.
Distinctive black fruiting bodies of the fungus are readily
seen with a hand lens.

Bentgrass Dead Spot

42
 Bentgrass Dead Spot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Open, sunny locations and hot, dry weather favor
development. Dead spot most often strikes greens that
were newly constructed or renovated and that were
built with large amounts of sand. Disease is not known
to occur in native soils. The disease naturally declines
and it is rarely seen on greens older than six years.

Management Tips:
• Maintain balanced fertility.
• Avoid turf stress and excessive traffic.
• Apply water-soluble fertilizers to stimulate growth
of surrounding healthy creeping bentgrass.
• Apply contact and/or systemic fungicides on a
preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: FL, MO, TX.

Frequently occurs in: CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI,
NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, WV.

Labeled products:

43
Other Fungal Diseases

Dollar Spot
Causal Agent:
Sclerotinia homoeocarpa

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All species of warm- and cool-season turfgrass

Symptoms:
Dollar spot causes sunken, circular patches that measure
up to 2 inches in diameter on golf greens and several
inches on higher mown turf. The patches turn from brown
to straw color and may eventually coalesce, forming
irregularly shaped areas. Infected leaves may display small
lesions that turn from yellow-green to straw color with a
reddish-brown border. The lesions can extend the full
width of the leaf. Multiple lesions may occur on a single
leaf blade.

Dollar Spot as seen from

10 feet (right) and 20 feet.

44
 Dollar Spot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Dollar spot is favored by temperatures between 59°F
to 86°F and continuous high humidity. This disease is
particularly favored by warm days, cool nights, and intense
dews. It also infects areas with low levels of nitrogen and
becomes more severe in dry soils.

Management Tips:
• Use an adequate level of nitrogen, particularly in the
spring and early summer.
• Mow grass at regular intervals.
• Reduce
 thatch.
• Increase the air circulation.
• Irrigate turf deeply and as infrequently as possible to
avoid drought stress.
• Remove dew from the turf early in the day.
• Convert to a turfgrass cultivar (especially for bentgrass)
that is more tolerant to dollar spot.
• Apply contact and/or systemic fungicides on a
preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CA, OR, WA.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA,
IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC,
ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN,
TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY.

Labeled products:

45
Other Fungal Diseases

Fusarium Patch
(Microdochium Patch)
Causal Agent:
Microdochium nivale (same species that causes
pink snow mold)

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Most species of cool-season turf

Symptoms:
Fusarium patch causes patches that are yellow or
reddish-brown in color and 1 inch to 6 inches in diameter.
The periphery of the patches are reddish-brown or pink
in color. “Smoke rings”—thin, brown borders around
the diseased patches that appear only in the early
morning—can occur. The patches occur in cool, wet
weather. Blighting in streaks can also occur as a result
of spore tracking on equipment wheels.

Fusarium Patch

46
 Fusarium Patch (Microdochium Patch)

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Fusarium patch thrives in temperatures less than 60°F (but
above 32°F) and in locations that experience more than
10 hours a day of foliar wetness for several consecutive
days. It also favors areas high in nitrogen fertility and low
in phosphorous and potash. Fusarium patch also infects
areas with slow growing conditions and heavy thatch.
Microdochium nivale is termed Fusarium patch when it
occurs in the absence of snow cover.
Management Tips:
• Maintain balanced fertility but avoid urea sources
of nitrogen.
•A  void using lime. Alkaline soils enhance
disease development.
• Increase
 air circulation to speed turf’s drying process.
•Minimize the amount of shade.
• Reduce thatch.
•Apply fungicides prior to or at the first signs of disease.
Turf recovery is more likely in the fall.
• Make additional fungicide applications as needed during
the winter (without snow cover). Turf recovery is slow
during the winter so maintain a fungicide program to
reduce turf damage.
Occasionally occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, LA,
MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TX.
Frequently occurs in: CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY,
MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY,
OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.
Labeled products:

47
Other Fungal Diseases

Gray Leaf Spot

Causal Agent:
Pyricularia grisea

Susceptible Turfgrass:
St. Augustinegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue,
and centipedegrass

Symptoms:
The symptoms of gray leaf spot vary depending on the
grass cultivar. On St. Augustinegrass, gray leaf spot first
appears as small, brown spots on the leaves and stems.
The spots quickly enlarge to approximately 1/4 inch in
length and become bluish-gray in color and oval or
elongated in shape. The mature lesions are tan to gray
in color and have depressed centers with irregular margins
that are purple to brown in color. On perennial ryegrass
and tall fescue, symptoms first appear as small, water-
soaked lesions that turn brown. Lesions may have a yellow
halo. The leaf tips will have a twisted or fishhook shape.

Gray Leaf Spot

48
 Gray Leaf Spot

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Gray leaf spot favors temperatures between 80°F to 90°F.
It is also found in areas with high nitrogen levels and that
are stressed by various factors, including drought and soil
compaction. This disease is most severe during extended
hot and humid periods.

Management Tips:
• Avoid medium to high nitrogen levels during mid-summer.
• Irrigate turf deeply and as infrequently as possible to avoid
water stress.
• Allow
 water to remain on leaves for only a short period
of time.
• Reduce thatch by vertical cutting.
•W  hen possible, plant turfgrass that is resistant to
gray leaf spot.
• Avoid using herbicides or plant growth regulators when
the disease is active.
•A  pply contact and/or systemic fungicides on a
preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CT, KS, MA, NE, NH, NY, OK,
RI, TX, VT.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA,
MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV.

Labeled products:

49
Other Fungal Diseases

Leaf Spot/Melting-Out
Causal Agent:
Drechslera spp. and/or Bipolaris spp.

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Creeping red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, annual
bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and some
varieties of bentgrass and bermudagrass

Symptoms:
Leaf spot (melting-out) causes purplish-brown to black
spots with tan centers on the leaf blade and sheath. The
lower leaves of the infected plants become shriveled and
blighted. When melting-out infection is severe, almost all
of the leaves and tillers die, causing severe thinning of
the stand—or melting-out. On cool-weather turfgrass,
melting-out typically follows the appearance of leaf spots.

Melting-Out

50
 Leaf Spot/Melting-Out

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Leaf spot favors temperatures between 40°F and 80°F.
It occurs in areas that experience more than 10 hours a
day of foliar wetness for several con­secutive days. It also
favors high amounts of nitrogen and a low mowing height.

Management Tips:
• Increase the height of cut.
•R  educe turf stress by using lightweight equipment.
• Avoid
 the application of high rates of water-soluble
nitrogen in the spring.
• Minimize the amount of shade.
• Irrigate turf deeply and as infrequently as possible.
• Reduce thatch in the early spring or fall for cool-season
turfgrass and in the summer for warm-season turfgrass.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:

51
Other Fungal Diseases

Red Thread and Pink Patch

Causal Agent:
Red thread—Laetisaria fuciformis
Pink patch—Limonomyces roseipellis

Susceptible Turfgrass:
All turfgrasses, but particularly severe on fine-leaf fescue,
and perennial ryegrass

Symptoms:
Red thread causes patches that are reddish-brown in
color and 1 to 4 inches in diameter up to 2 feet. Pink
patch causes a gelatinous mass of pink mycelium with
water-soaked leaves.

Red Thread

Red Thread at 20 feet.

52
 Red Thread and Pink Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Red thread thrives in temperatures between 40°F to 85°F
and in locations that are low in nitrogen. It also occurs in
areas that experience more than 10 hours a day of foliar
wetness for several consecutive days.
Pink patch usually develops in the presence of red thread.
These two similar diseases often occur under the same
conditions and at the same times. It is distinguished from
red thread by the absence of “red threads,” or sclerotia.
Management Tips:
•M  ow turf frequently and collect clippings to remove
diseased portions of the leaves.
• Maintain adequate nitrogen and a balanced fertility.
• Apply
 moderate to high amounts of phosphorous
and potash.
•Maintain the soil pH between 6.5 to 7.0.
•Reduce shade.
•Increase the air circulation to the turf’s drying process.
•Irrigate turf deeply and as infrequently as possible.
• Use fungicides to control disease when it is a
chronic problem.
Occasionally occurs in: Red Thread: AL, AR, AZ, CA,
FL, GA, LA, MS, NM, OK, SC, TX. Pink Patch: AR, AZ,
CA, NM, OK, TX.
Frequently occurs in: Red Thread and Pink Patch: CO,
CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO,
MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT,
VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Labeled products:

53
Other Fungal Diseases

Southern Blight
Causal Agent:
Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Bentgrass, bluegrass, bermudagrass, ryegrass, and
tall fescue

Symptoms:
Most common in warm regions. Symptoms begin as yellow
circular patches, becoming chlorotic, then reddish-brown.
Patches become thin through the summer, with grass being
killed in rings that may grow to several feet. Mycelium may
be visible on the ring edges when moisture is present. White
sclerotia are produced in large numbers on dead grass,
becoming yellow-brown with age. Frog-eye or crescent-
shaped patches are common.

Southern Blight

54
 Southern Blight

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Sclerotia germinate above 75°F. Disease is most severe
at 77–95°F. Day temperatures above 85°F and nighttime
temperatures above 70°F favor southern blight development.
Disease is most severe under hot, moisture saturated
conditions such as wet weather following a drought period.
Soils with pH below 6.5 and soils with high organic matter
also encourage this disease. Mycelium move rapidly and
extensively through thatch or soil, and are easily spread to
non-infected turf.

Management Tips:
• Reduce thatch by verticutting or core aerification.
• Lime to raise pH above 7.
•Ammonium sulfate on greens and tees as a
nitrogen source.
• Apply registered fungicides on a preventive basis.

Occasionally occurs in: CO, DE, KS, KY, MD, MO, NV,
UT, VA, WV.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, LA, NC,
NM, OK, SC, TN, TX.

Labeled products:

55
Other Fungal Diseases

Yellow Patch/
Cool Season Brown Patch
Causal Agent:
Ceratorhiza cerealis (formerly Rhizoctonia cerealis)

Susceptible Turfgrass:
Bentgrass, annual bluegrass, perennial ryegrass,
bermudagrass

Symptoms:
The symptoms of yellow patch (cool season brown patch)
can vary depending on the grass cultivar, climatic and
atmospheric conditions, soil, and intensity of the turfgrass
management. This disease occurs from the fall through the
spring or as the warm-season grasses approach or break
dormancy, generally when air temperatures average 50°–
65°F. It causes rings and patches or circular patches that
are yellow, light-brown, or reddish-brown in color and that
measure 5 inches to several feet in diameter. Leaf lesions
rarely occur and gray “smoke rings”—thin borders around
the diseased patches—sometimes occur. Damage
is generally superficial, but thinning can occur during
prolonged periods of wet weather in late winter and early
spring. Yellow patch can also be a problem on overseeded
greens (Poa trivialis) in the southern states.

Yellow Patch
56
 Yellow Patch/Cool Season Brown Patch

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Yellow patch favors temperatures less than 60°F. It also
occurs in areas that experience more than 10 hours a day
of foliar wetness for several consecutive days. This disease
is more severe in turfgrass with excessive thatch and high
nitrogen levels.

Management Tips:
• Improve soil drainage.
•U  se low to moderate amounts of nitrogen, moderate
amounts of phosphorous, and moderate to high amounts
of potash.
• Increase the air circulation.
• Minimize the amount of shade.
• Reduce thatch.
•U  se contact or systemic fungicides preventively for
best results.

Occasionally occurs in: AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN,
KS, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY,
OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Frequently occurs in: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD,
MS, NC, NJ, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA.

Labeled products:

57
Algae

Algae
Susceptible Turfgrass:
All turfgrass species mainly found on golf and
bowling greens

Symptoms:
Green or bluish-black in color, typically forming a thick
mat on the ground surface. It can be peeled off,
when dry.

Algae

58
 Algae

Conditions Favoring Disease:

Algae is very competitive in cool, moist, shaded locations.
High surface moisture, inadequate drainage, and insufficient
light and air movement also promote the growth of algae,
as well as low fertility, high soil acidity, soil compaction,
and excessive thatch. Algae can also be more problematic
when using surface or retention pond water as often the
algae may be present in the pond water. Some algal
species are known to produce toxins which may contribute
to turfgrass thinning.

Management Tips:
• Increase mowing height and nitrogen fertility.
• Improve drainage and avoid frequent, shallow watering.
• Aerify compacted soils.
• In areas with less sunlight, plant shade tolerant grasses.
• Trim back shady trees and shrubs to increase air
movement and light penetration.

Frequently occurs in: All states.

Labeled products:

*
*Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Medallion® to control Algae. Please see the
section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.

59
 COMBINATION FUNGICIDES SPECIALTY FUNGICIDES

Pathogen
Necrotic Ring Spot  e  
Pink Snow Mold    e    
Powdery Mildew     
Pythium Blight  e 
Pythium Root Rot

(Dysfunction)  e  
Red Thread/
Pink Patch       
Rust

60
      
Southern Blight   
Spring Dead Spot  
Stripe Smut

Summer Patch
 
  e   
Take-all Patch   e  
Syngenta Fungicide Summary

Yellow Patch/Cool
Weather Brown Patch       
Yellow Tuft 
Zoysia Patch   
An “e” in the chart designates that Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of the noted products to control the corresponding disease.
Please see the Section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state.
 Syngenta has a solution for every major turf disease. This chart contains labeled product options for key diseases and is an excellent reference for preventive treatment.

COMBINATION FUNGICIDES SPECIALTY FUNGICIDES

Pathogen
Algae   e
Anthracnose

       
Bentgrass Dead Spot  
Brown Patch        
Brown Ring Patch e e e e e e
Copper Spot   
Dollar Spot

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     
Fairy Ring  e 
Gray Leaf Spot        
Gray Snow Mold    e   
Large Patch

    
Leaf & Sheath Spot/
Mini Ring    e   e
Leaf Spot        
Melting Out
Microdochium Patch
       
(Fusarium Patch)        
Combination Fungicides
GROUP M5 CHLOROTHALONIL
GROUP 11 AZOXYSTROBIN

•N  o compromise contact and systemic protection

•A  resistance management option even during summer
stress periods
• Proprietary stick-and-stay technology
• Excellent control of tough turf diseases from root to leaf tip
FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION
GROUP 3 PROPICONAZOLE
GROUP 11 AZOXYSTROBIN

• Green and fairway fungicide with dual modes of action

•C  ontrols major turf diseases, including brown patch
and dollar spot
•L  ow 0.75 oz/1,000 ft2 rate for cost-effective fairway control
FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION
GROUP 3 PROPICONAZOLE
GROUP M5 CHLOROTHALONIL
GROUP 12 FLUDIOXONIL

•P
 rovides excellent control of snow mold
•B
 road-spectrum disease control, including anthracnose,
dollar spot, gray leaf spot, summer patch, and more
•M
 ultiple active ingredients to optimize efficacy and
resistance management
•M
 ultiple modes of action for both contact and
systemic protection
FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION
GROUP 3 PROPICONAZOLE
GROUP M5 CHLOROTHALONIL

• Ideal disease control for the entire course

•D ual modes of action, both contact and systemic
•O utstanding dollar spot protection at low rates
•E fficient and economical control of 13 prevalent turf diseases

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 Specialty Fungicides

FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION

GROUP 3 PROPICONAZOLE

•P remier fungicide for preventive dollar spot control

•B road-spectrum protection against summer patch,
brown patch, and many other diseases
• Carries the Caution signal word
•V irtually no odor, in a highly compatible, easy-mixing
MAXX® formulation

FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION

GROUP M5 CHLOROTHALONIL

•N o. 1 contact turf fungicide, with proven disease control

• An important tank-mix/rotation partner
•E ffective in resistance management programs
•P remium, proven leading-edge formulation technology—sticks
and stays
•A vailable as a WDG, flowable, and flowable with
zinc formulations—efficacious against algae/cyanobacteria

FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION

GROUP 11 AZOXYSTROBIN

• Maximizes disease control from root to leaf tip

• Broad-spectrum control of the toughest turf diseases
•D  elivers total systemic control (roots, stolons, shoots) at every
stage of pathogen’s life cycle
• Available in a highly soluble, spreadable granule, a water-
dispersible granule, and fast-acting turf liquid

63
 FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION
GROUP 12 FLUDIOXONIL

•C ontrols snow molds, anthracnose, brown patch, and

bentgrass dead spot in turf
• Contact fungicide
•U nique mode of action allows for key use as a resistance
management tool

FUNGICIDE MOA CLASSIFICATION

GROUP 4 MEFENOXAM

•T he industry standard for Pythium control at an

economical cost
•A great partner to a Pythium prevention program
• Leading-edge MAXX formulation technology
• Excellent root protection and systemic uptake

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Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Banner MAXX® II,
Headway®, Concert® II, Heritage®, Medallion®, and Renown® to control Brown Ring
Patch. Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Renown®
to control Necrotic Ring Spot, Pink Snow Mold, Pythium Blight, Pythium Root Rot,
Summer Patch, Take-all Patch, Fairy Ring, and Gray Snow Mold. Syngenta supports
FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use of Concert® II to control Algae and
Gray Snow Mold. Syngenta supports FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendations for use
of Banner MAXX® II and Medallion® to control Leaf and Sheath Spot/Mini Ring. Please
see the specific section 2(ee) Recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is
applicable in your state.
The one online information source with the
innovative services and technologies to help
you manage your turf needs.
www.greencastonline.com
Call 1-866-SYNGENTA (796-4368) to contact the
Syngenta Customer Center and learn more about these products.
www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com
©2011 Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409.
Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using
these products. The label contains important conditions of sale, including
limitations of remedy and warranty. Renown® is not currently registered for
use in all states. Please check with your state or local extension service prior
to buying or using this product. Banner MAXX®, Concert®, Daconil®, GreenCast®,
Headway®, Heritage®, Instrata®, MAXX®, Medallion®, Renown®, Subdue MAXX®, and the
Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
TR-SGT11438 SCP 910-00371-H 05/11