 |
 |
 |
 |
|
CONTROLLING MOSS AND FUNGI IN LAWNS
Mosses usually occur in the lawn when conditions are damp and the vigour of the grass is low. The appearance of moss is probably the most common symptom of "run-down" turf arising from such causes as over compaction of soil, nutrient and pH imbalance, inadequate drainage, poor soil aeration, dense shade, over close mowing and a shallow depth of topsoil.
Munns Moss Killer & Turf Algicide is a very safe product for the home gardener to use if the label directions are followed. None of the above treatments should involve any risk to wildlife or domestic animals. ****************************** DOLLAR SPOT IN TURFGRASS (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) INTRODUCTION Dollar spot originally was a major concern on bentgrass where it formed spots the size of silver dollars, consequently the name "dollar spot." Nevertheless, on Kentucky bluegrass lawns the fungi may infect large areas in just a few days. Infected areas 10 cm or larger may run together, causing great patches over the turf area. Irregular patches to 3 metres wide are quite common on bluegrass lawns. Dollar spot fungi can be spread by mowers, feet, hoses, travelling sprinklers and other maintenance equipment. Keeping your equipment clean will help prevent the fungi from spreading.Strains of dollar spot fungi grow within a wide range of temperatures, so this turf disease may be active from late spring to late autumn. Although, most problems develop when temperatures are tolerably warm and change rapidly, as with warm days and cool nights. A Dollar spot fungus is complex and is often serious on bluegrass and other turf during hot weather, many home gardeners perceive the resulting bleached grass is caused by lack of water. They don't understand that the problem is caused by a fungus and then flood the area with water and the disease gets exceedingly multiplies. IDENTIFICATION Close examination of the leaf should reveal many "hour glass" shaped lesions of a tan colour. Affected leaves will show yellow-green blotches or bands that generally can go undetected. These lesions gradually bleach to a white or straw colour. On finer-textured turf grasses, individual lesions on the leaves often bridge the width of the grass blade, producing a constricted area resembling an hourglass. On coarser grasses, the spots caused by dollar spot may not span the blade. The tip of the leaf blade may show the characteristic lesion, or the lesion may be in the middle of the blade, leaving the leaf tip green. When the turf grass is wet from early morning dew, a fine, white cobweb-like mycelial growth (strands of fungus) may be visible on the diseased leaves. As the grass dries out the mycelium disappears. Be sure not to confuse this with spider webs. Heavy layers of a thatch can encourage Dollar spot because water, air and nutrients cannot penetrate to the underlying soil and grass roots. This results in shallow and poorly developed roots that are highly susceptible to drought stress. CONTROL If you want to water during daylight hours, allow grass to dry for at least one hour before watering. When watering very late in the day, allow time for grass blades to dry before nightfall. Early morning watering (before sunrise) helps remove dew from the leaf surface. 1. Spray the lawn area with Mancozeb Plus twice at 6 day intervals. 2. Never water the lawn in the late afternoon or at night as this enhances the growth disease. 3. Cut the lawn at least once every 6 day. Wash the underside catting area and wheels of the mower. Then spray with a solution of one part ?White King? mixed with nine parts of water to sterilize. 4. Apply Munns Golf Course Green Fertiliser every six week during the warm weather but do not exceed the recommended application rate. (one kilo per 20 sq m) POINTS TO REMEMBER Turf grass under stress is more susceptible to infection. Proper lawn management, such as aeration, proper watering and fertilization, will reduce dollar spot problems. Use fungicides only in situations with recurrent dollar spot problems. Ensure nitrogen levels are sufficient to sustain a moderate rate of shoot growth. ****************************** TOADSTOOLS IN THE LAWN
Do you have these in your lawn?
****************************** pH LEVELS
******************************
|
| Plant Lists | Fact Sheets | Garden Tips | History | Contact | Garden Centre | Legals | |
