Lawn Fungal Identification

Name	Type	Image	Name	Host	Cause	Treatment
Summer Patch	Fungal	Courtesy of PSU Peter Landschoot	Magnaporthiopsis poae	Bluegrass, fescue	Occurs in summer. This is a root disease caused by poor air circulation, low mowing heights, heavy traffic, excessive irrigation, and inadequate drainage	Increase aeration and improve drainage. Raise the mow height, fertilize and overseed to prevent further symptom expression.
Rust	Fungal	Courtesy of PSU Peter Landschoot	Puccinia	Cool-season turfgrasses	Infections are favored by low light, cool nights, mild temperatures, and heavy dew. It typically arises late summer or early fall.	Adequate nitrogen and irrigation should minimize infections
Brown Patch	Fungal	Courtesy of PSU Peter Landschoot	Rhizoctonia solani	Perennial ryegrass, creeping and colonial bentgrasses, and tall fescue	Excessive nitrogen, poor soil drainage, compacted soils, high humidity and heat, and thatch buildup all contribute to brown patch disease	Moderate use of nitrogen. Water early morning. Irrigating at night during hot and humid weather will intensify the issue. Can also blend in bluegrass or fine fescue in seeding mixture, since they are less prone to infections. Dethatch the lawn.
Gray Leaf	Fungal	Courtesy of PSU Peter Landschoot	Pyricularia grisea	Perennial ryegrass, tall fescue	Mowing too low, light and frequent irrigation cycles, and excessive nitrogen fertilizer in the early spring. It can also occur on turfgrass with severe nitrogen deficiencies.	Ideally plant leaf spot-resistant turfgrass. Apply only moderate amounts of nitrogen. Irrigation watering cycles should be so that it is long enough to wet the soil thoroughly to reduce the wilting and drought stress.